In a rare example of joined up governmental thinking, the announcement by Pensana Rare Earths that it has submitted a planning application for a $125 million rare earth oxide refining facility. The facility would be near Hull in northeast England and would plug a gap in an ore-to-finished-turbine manufacturing landscape developing rapidly in the U.K.’s […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Week in Review: January 2021 MMI is out; what’s in store for iron ore?; Oyu Tolgoi expansion faces pushback
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a quick look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including the release of the January 2021 MMI, a look at what might happen to the iron ore price and much more. Inauguration Day draws near for President-elect Joe Biden, leaving […]
India reports finding of 1,600-ton lithium deposit
An Indian agency has reported evidence that shows the presence of a lithium deposit of about 1,600 tons in the southern province of Karnataka. It may be a small find. Still, it is important, especially with the world moving away from fossil-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles. Lithium deposit in India Initial surveys by the Atomic […]
Raw Steels MMI: Index increases by double digits as steel prices gain to close 2020
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by 16.5% this month, as steel prices showed strength in December. U.S. steel events The American Iron and Steel Institute, the Steel Manufacturers Association, the United Steelworkers union, the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports and the American Institute of Steel Construction sent a letter to Joe […]
U.K.’s electric vehicle supply chain needs an electrifying jolt
Automotive producers the world over are facing challenges, but the U.K. automotive industry is arguably in the most challenging environment of all. Become part of the MetalMiner LinkedIn group and stay connected to trends we’re watching and interesting metal facts. U.K. automotive sector faces headwinds Over the last year, COVID-19 restrictions have closed showrooms. Furthermore, […]
Have we already seen peak iron ore prices for this year?
Iron ore — or at least iron ore producers — have had a pretty good pandemic. Get social with us. Follow MetalMiner on LinkedIn. Recovering iron ore output In Brazil, historic environmental restrictions and, at least in Q1 2020, heavy rains hampered Vale’s operations. In addition, the miner faced an ongoing impact on its workforce due […]
After a difficult 2020 for oil, could it bounce back in 2021?
The oil price is caught between a short-term recovery and the medium-term prospect of peak oil, as countries ramp up programs to decarbonize by switching power generation sources and banning internal combustion engines (ICE). The oil price has been seesawing between vaccine optimism and pandemic pessimism. Yet, it has managed a gradual recovery from its […]
Week in Review: Organic molecules and machinability; gold prices; allocation market for steel
Before we head into the penultimate weekend of 2020, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including: research findings related to organic molecules’ impact on machinability; gold prices; and the arrival of an allocation market for steel-buying organizations, as explained by MetalMiner CEO […]
‘A’ is for allocation steel markets
Not so long ago on a fall night here in Chicago, I had the opportunity to meet up with a couple of folks from a steel producer. What they told me then sounded a little scary — they suggested the “A” word — but not nearly as scary as current market conditions suggest. In metals […]
Nippon Steel looks to increase production capacity overseas
Keeping future demands in mind, Nippon Steel Corp. has decided to focus more on markets like the United States and India. At the same time, it is reducing focus on Japan for the medium term. The aim, according to a top-level executive of the Japanese steel company, is to capitalize on overseas profit which. At […]