The Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 1.9% for this month’s reading, as the Greenland elections this week could have significant ramifications for a rare earths project in the country. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and buying […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Supply chains at risk as the world moves toward electrification
A recent Telegraph article suggests the West is sleepwalking into missing the next industrial revolution as China voraciously buys up raw material assets around the world. Those assets include securing its future supplies of cobalt, copper, lithium and other metals. The aforementioned comes in addition to its current domination of rare earth metals. The MetalMiner […]
Oil price shakes off relaxation of OPEC+ curbs
In a surprise move last week, OPEC+ announced a further gradual relaxation of the group’s 2020 emergency 9.7 million barrels per day cut in oil output, causing the oil price to briefly retreat. In December, OPEC+ had intended to ease the curb by about 500,000 barrels per day each month in 2021. However, in the […]
Tight supply continues to push hot rolled coil prices upward in Western Europe
Continued tight supply for hot rolled coil in Western Europe has further pushed up prices for the flat product over the past 10 days. Sign up today for Gunpowder, MetalMiner’s free, biweekly e-newsletter featuring news, analysis and more. Hot rolled coil heats up Some producers’ offer prices from late last week are now at least […]
United Steelworkers announces ATI strike, citing ‘unfair labor practices’
The United Steelworkers union Monday announced a strike at nine Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) facilities, citing what it calls “unfair labor practices.” The ATI strike, which began at 7 a.m. EDT Monday, marked the first at ATI since 1994, according to media reports. In addition, USW spokesperson Tony Montana told MetalMiner the strike involves workers […]
Ever Given freed in Suez Canal, but ripple effect on trade will linger
As the days went by and the disruption from the blockage of the Suez Canal by the container vessel Ever Given increased, the implications became more and more severe. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best practice advice. Sign up here. Not all of those 360 vessels backed up waiting for […]
US steel imports drop 22% in February
US steel imports in February — and through the first two months of the year — are down compared with 2020, the Census Bureau reported. Do you know the five best practices of sourcing metals, including steel? US steel imports in February down 22% from previous month US steel imports reached 1.71 million metric tons […]
Week in Review: Semiconductor shortage; MetalMiner webinar; rising Midwest Premium
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including coverage of the semiconductor shortage, the Midwest Premium and more. A fire at a Japanese chip-making plant last week has slammed automotive operations. General Motors, Ford and many other automakers have […]
MetalMiner Webinar: Bull market buying and preparing for when prices come back down
Industrial metal buying organizations are in a difficult spot these days, as commodities are entrenched in a bull market. After the initial demand hit that commodities took on at the end of Q1 2020 with the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, materials prices have skyrocketed. Lead times have lengthened and demand for everything from automobiles […]
US steel capacity utilization dips slightly to 77.3%
The US steel sector’s capacity utilization rate has consistently posted gains since a trough last spring at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past week, however, the capacity utilization rate fell slightly. Stay up to date on MetalMiner with weekly updates – without the sales pitch. Sign up today. Capacity utilization dips to 77.3% […]
