While geopolitical tensions continue and rare earths supply chain vulnerabilities deepen, the United States is quietly redrawing the global map of critical mineral sourcing, and Australia seems to be emerging as a cornerstone. The latest development on this front is the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) issuing a letter of interest to fund up to US […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Aluminum MMI: Mill Fire Adds Fuel to U.S. Aluminum Prices
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, rising by a modest 0.5% from September to October. Meanwhile, the price of aluminum remains in an uptrend, supported by a growing number of factors. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Read the 5 golden rules for […]
Global Copper Deficit Balloons as Grasberg Collapse Joins Year of Disruptions
The global copper market has had quite the year. On September 8, approximately 800,000 tons of wet material flooded multiple levels of the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Papua, Indonesia, leading to the suspension of all underground operations. It was just one more event to add to the list of copper mining and supply disruptions […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: The Fed Cuts Rates by .25%. How are Precious Metals Prices Reacting?
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, trending up by a slight 1.14%. Despite the sideways movement, precious metals prices have been anything but stale. The past two weeks have been dramatic for the precious metals market, as gold set new records, silver touched levels not seen since 2011 and palladium and […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Hit 6-Month High
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with an upside bias, rising 0.56% from August to September. Meanwhile, the global price of aluminum reached highs not seen since the beginning of the year. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Worried about the fluctuating price […]
Iron Ore Futures Slide as China’s Economic Slowdown Deepens
Global iron ore markets are under renewed pressure as futures prices continue to fall, driven by mounting concerns over China’s faltering economy and weakening demand from its steel and property sectors. Meanwhile, current iron ore prices continue to fluctuate. According to reports, iron ore futures fell to their lowest levels in a week on Monday, […]
Automotive MMI: U.S. Automakers Grapple with Metal Supply Complications
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, dropping a slight 2.3%. This comes as the US automotive market, manufacturers in particular, are facing a one-two punch of rising costs and potential shortages in their metal supply chains. A big reason for this is steep tariffs on steel, aluminum and other inputs, which are driving […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Search for New Low
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways with a downside bias, falling 0.96% from August to September. U.S. Steel Prices Continue to Unravel U.S. steel prices remain in search of a new bottom. As of early September, hot rolled coil prices sit at their lowest level since February 21, having unraveled much of […]
Rare Earths MMI – End of Summer Rally: New U.S. Policy Moves and 40% Price Spikes
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, but gained bullish momentum from the prior month, rising 2.15%. This comes as the rare earths market experienced numerous developments over the past 30 days, including discussions between Malaysia and China to develop new plans for rare earth processing. Notably, this would be limited strictly to […]
China Lifts Rare Earth Export Curbs On India
In a move with far-reaching implications for global supply chains and global diplomacy, China has lifted its export restrictions on rare earths to India. The monumental decision also includes key commodities like fertilizers and tunnel boring machines, and follows high-level talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who […]