Plummeting zinc metal prices and rising energy costs recently prompted Boliden to place its Tara zinc mine on care and maintenance until further notice. “The business is currently cash flow negative due to a combination of factors,” the Swedish metals producer said. Officials went on to specify that these operational challenges included “a decline in […]
Tag: Zinc
Zinc Price Index Cooling Down After Sharp Rally
Like most base metals, the zinc price index rose during the first week of November. However, the 15th marked the last day of zinc’s sharp rally, as prices soon began to cool down and return back to prior support and resistance zones. As with other metal production facilities, Zinc smelters use a lot of energy. […]
Metal Price Trends: Tin May Rebound, While Zinc Could Experience Additional Declines
Since the beginning of 2022, tin prices have steadily declined. Indeed, such was the case for many metal prices after the March peak. However, it’s possible tin could see a reversal in the long term. As it begins to reach lower support ranges indicated by September 2020’s low, we could see tin start to push […]
Zinc prices rising as inventory disappears by the day
Much has been said about the trials and tribulations of the aluminum market, particularly of the impact on smelter output from energy rationing in China last year and then rapidly escalating energy prices in Europe this winter. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine turbocharged prices. Fears rose over already constrained oil and natural gas supplies to Europe […]
Metals supply constraints likely to linger into 2022
Several factors are likely to see base metals continue to encounter supply constraints into 2022. Chief among them is demand, said Colin Hamilton, managing director of commodities research at BMO Capital Markets. “We have never seen this level of demand impulse before,” he said in an Oct. 12 web presentation. Producers have also had difficulty […]
Zinc prices boom to 14-year highs as power costs hit producers
Zinc prices have surged to 14-year highs this week, rising by over 24% on a month-over-month basis. The LME three-month zinc price closed Friday at $3,757 per metric ton, according to MetalMiner Insights data. Chinese primary cash zinc closed Monday at $742 per metric ton, up 20.86% month over month. We’re offering timely emails with […]
This Morning in Metals: Norsk Hydro signs letter of intent to build US aluminum recycling plant
This morning in metals news: Norsk Hydro today announced it signed a letter of intent to build a new aluminum recycling plant in Cassopolis, Michigan; the Census Bureau released construction spending data; and, lastly, the zinc price posted some gains this week. You want more MetalMiner on your terms. Sign up for weekly email updates […]
Zinc losing support with further declines expected
The zinc price has defied expectations that oversupply would put so much downward pressure on prices that last month’s $3,100/ton high would be the peak for years to come. Although the zinc price has drifted off those highs, it is currently just under $2,900 per metric ton for cash and three-month on the LME, zinc […]
ILZSG: Lead, zinc in surplus through first four months
According to a recent report by the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG), global lead and zinc supply exceeded demand through the first four months of the year. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and buying strategies. Zinc market […]
Zinc treatment charges tell us a similar story to copper
We wrote about the copper market and what smelter treatment charges are telling us about mine supply — and, hence, refined metal supply this year. Treatment and refining charges have collapsed. That is a sure sign that refiners are struggling to secure concentrate supply as mines’ recovery, largely due to COVID-19 effects, lags global industrial […]
