Analysts once hailed cobalt as a commodity whose price would rise forever. Used in the cathodes of many lithium-ion batteries to extend the life of the battery cell, investors and mine operators eagerly anticipated high returns on all cobalt investments. However, cobalt prices recently dropped to record lows amid global oversupply and a widespread slowdown […]
Category: Manufacturing
Kazakhstan-Backed ERG Injects $800 Million to Revive Congo’s Cobalt and Copper Mine
It has the largest reserves of cobalt in the world and the 7th largest deposit of copper, making it the cynosure of the mining world. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plays a central role in the world’s rollover to renewable energy and in cobalt price movements. As a result, the central African nation surfaces in […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: Index Goes Up, Lithium-Ion Battery Dilemmas
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw a welcome boost month-on-month, rising 6.27%. Grain-oriented electrical steel, silicon, and neodymium were the main factors that increased the index, while the lithium-ion battery market remains a point of contention. In the case of silicon, futures initially rose back in June due to production cuts within China, the […]
Raw Steels MMI: Will Cliffs’ Price Hike Shift Steel Prices?
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.45% from August to September. Flat rolled steel prices remained bearish throughout September. Meanwhile, hot rolled coil prices continued to show the largest decline, falling to their lowest levels since December 2022. By the end of September, prices sat only 4% above their last major low. Meanwhile, […]
Groundwater Pumping at South Crofty Cornish Mining to Begin in October
For years, the tin price index in Europe depended largely on foreign supply. However, Vancouver-headquartered Cornish Mining plans to start pumping out groundwater from its South Crofty tin project as early as October. The firm is currently preparing its mine water treatment plant, which can treat up to 25,000 cubic meters of water per day […]
Copper Price Roller Coaster a Wild Ride in 2023: From Highs to Lows and Back Again
It’s safe to say that the copper price index witnessed an interesting 2023 thus far. Indeed, the market’s been volatile, so there were more than the usual ups and downs. Mid-year, prices registered a major tumble because of the fumble in China’s economy. However, soon after, they began clawing back to a respectable level. Prices […]
What We Know About 2024 Metal Prices Through Metal Mining
As we approach 2023, the metal mining industry teeters on a precipice of unprecedented change and challenge. Such challenges range from economic instability, environmental regulations, and labor shortages to disruptive technological advancements and heightened market competition. These dynamic factors pose incredible business risks that require strategic management for success in the coming years. While it […]
India’s Aluminum Appetite Surges: How Will This New Global Player Affect Aluminum Prices?
In an otherwise down market staring at a slow recovery in 2023, only India stands apart from the rest of the world in terms of aluminum production and consumption. Indeed, the government’s push for new infrastructure, especially for green energy, continues to drive domestic consumption and overall stability for aluminum prices. The country is already the […]
Aluminum MMI: Hydro Bets Big on Lower Carbon Aluminum, Aluminum Prices Remain Mostly Flat
LME aluminum prices edged sideways throughout August, with a modest 1.69% month-over-month rise. Meanwhile, prices show little bullish or bearish momentum as they continue to trade within a tight range. Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) continued to move sideways as well, rising a modest 0.79% from August to September. Get valuable market trends, […]
Montenegrin Powerhouse EPCG Željezara Nikšić to Restart by 2024
Regional media reports state that Montenegrin specialty steels producer EPCG Željezara Nikšić aims to restart production by the end of 2023, possibly impacting steel prices. The facility went offstream in 2021, dramatically reducing steel output in the small Balkan country. Analysts remain eager to see how the restart might affect steel prices in the region. […]