(Repeats with no changes. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters)* Global production by country: * Global reserves by country: * Cobalt vs copper and nickel pricing: By Andy HomeLONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The cobalt market will record a supply surplus both this year and next, according to heavyweight commodities research house CRU. This might seem a little su...Read More
* Rio looks to lift 2018 iron ore shipments by 10 mln/t* Reports 1 pct rise in 2017 shipments* Mined copper output down 9 pct in 2017 (Adds expansion details, iron ore price, Oyu Tolgoi tax bill)By James ReganSYDNEY, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Global miner Rio Tinto , said on Tuesday it could ship up to an additional 10 million tonnes of iron ore in 2018 worth $780 million at today's prices after reporti...Read More
* McKinsey has lost several clients over fallout from contract* Zuma authorized enquiry into allegations of influence peddling* McKinsey and its South African partner Trillian deny wrongdoing By Alexander WinningJOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (Reuters) - A South African court has authorized the freezing of 1.6 billion rand ($130 million) in assets earned by global consultancy McKinsey and a firm linked to...Read More
(Adds aluminium and copper production guidance, Q4 iron ore shipments)Jan 16 (Reuters) - Global miner Rio Tinto , on Tuesday reported a 1 percent rise in iron ore shipments for 2017 to 330.1 million tonnes, meeting its guidance.The world's no. 2 miner of iron ore, a raw material in steelmaking, also stuck to a target of 330-340 million tonnes for this year, but cautioned the guidance was subject...Read More
(Kitco News) - The current U.S. dollar’s plunge is temporary, says Capital Economics, noting that a recovery is on its way, but warning that the currency might face renewed pressure in 2019.The Fed’s plan to tighten its monetary policy this year will be the main underlying factor supporting the greenback, John Higgins, chief markets economist at Capital Economics, said in a note on Mon...Read More
(Kitco News) - The U.S. Dollar Index plunged to three-year lows Monday, giving a boost to the precious metals sector, but some analysts warn that the weakness could be short-lived.The Dollar Index was last at 90.43, down 0.52% on the day, marking the weakest level since January 2015, according to Kitco.com.Analysts are keeping a close eye on the possibility of the U.S. government shutdown this wee...Read More
SHANGHAI, Jan 15 (SMM)? 1/4 ?Copper: LME copper traded lowered between the 10-day and 20-day moving averages and is expected to trade at $7,080-7,160/mt today. SHFE copper is expected to trade at 54,260-54,790 yuan/mt while spot premiums are to rise to 40-100 yuan/mt today.Aluminium: LME aluminium is expected to trade higher at $2,210-2,240/mt due to the suspension of Alcoa’s overseas plant...Read More
SHANGHAI, Jan 15 (SMM)? 1/4 ?Copper: LME copper traded lowered between the 10-day and 20-day moving averages and is expected to trade at $7,080-7,160/mt today. SHFE copper is expected to trade at 54,260-54,790 yuan/mt while spot premiums are to rise to 40-100 yuan/mt today.Aluminium: LME aluminium is expected to trade higher at $2,210-2,240/mt due to the suspension of Alcoa’s overseas plant...Read More
SHANGHAI, Jan 15 (SMM)? 1/4 ?Copper: LME copper traded lowered between the 10-day and 20-day moving averages and is expected to trade at $7,080-7,160/mt today. SHFE copper is expected to trade at 54,260-54,790 yuan/mt while spot premiums are to rise to 40-100 yuan/mt today.Aluminium: LME aluminium is expected to trade higher at $2,210-2,240/mt due to the suspension of Alcoa’s overseas plant...Read More
Price trends in the global billet market diverged in the week ended Friday January 12 because of a number of factors.In the Asian market the mood turned bearish, following the return of Chinese suppliers to the export market. But sentiment in the Middle East and CIS regions remained largely optimistic, supported by an increase in scrap import prices as well as demand in some member-states of the G...Read More
Price trends in the global billet market diverged in the week ended Friday January 12 because of a number of factors.In the Asian market the mood turned bearish, following the return of Chinese suppliers to the export market. But sentiment in the Middle East and CIS regions remained largely optimistic, supported by an increase in scrap import prices as well as demand in some member-states of the G...Read More
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange continued their strong performance during Monday January 15 and closed in positive territory across the board. Prices were supported by a weakening dollar which fell to its lowest in nearly three years; copper was one of the best performers closing over $100 higher than Friday. "The supportive macro backdrop (weak dollar, positive macro data) should...Read More
Base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange were all higher during morning trading on Monday January 15, reflecting a further weakening in the dollar.Zinc's continues to set fresh multi-year highs - it peaked at $3,440 per tonne this morning, its highest since August 2007.Available LME zinc stocks continue to fall - a further 10,000 tonnes of metal were cancelled in New Orleans this morning, wh...Read More
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are stronger across the board this morning, Monday January 15, with the complex up by an average of 1.2%. Copper ($7,248 per tonne) and nickel ($12,905 per tonne) lead the advance with rises of 1.9%, while tin lags behind with a 0.1% gain to $20,300 per tonne. Volume has been high with 13,854 lots traded, with 6,586 lots of that being copper. The pre...Read More
Spot prices for ammonium paratungstate (APT) climbed last week in Europe, buoyed by tightening availability of the material and strong downstream demand, as the market considered the effects of Xiamen Tungsten being temporarily denied its export license.Metal Bulletin assessed APT prices in a range of $310-318 per mtu, cif Rotterdam, on Friday January 12. This was up by 0.9% week-on-week from $307...Read More
The increases in demand for lithium battery compounds since the end of 2015 have caused a structural change in the global lithium market, making it necessary to have new reference prices with increased granularity. Industrial Minerals has therefore launched new spot price assessments for lithium carbonate and hydroxide monohydrate to keep track of the growing price volatility within the Chinese sp...Read More
The increases in demand for lithium battery compounds since the end of 2015 have caused a structural change in the global lithium market, making it necessary to have new reference prices with increased granularity. Industrial Minerals has therefore launched new spot price assessments for lithium carbonate and hydroxide monohydrate to keep track of the growing price volatility within the Chinese sp...Read More
Chrome ore and ferro-chrome prices in China strengthened over the past week as alloy production costs rose and smelters prepared for cutbacks. Ore and alloy prices propel each other in ChinaFurther price strength predicted amid production cuts, rising costsPrices edge higher in South KoreaAlloy prices stir in EuropeUS market steady with suppliers maintaining high offers Metal Bulletin's UG2 chrome...Read More
Spot cobalt prices continued to rise last week as demand strengthened following the Christmas and New Year break, overpowering the temptation for profit-taking after a rallying end to 2017. Low-grade cobalt prices posted the more significant increase over the course of week, buoyed by concerns that delays to a restart at the Ambatovy joint venture in Madagascar could further intensify tightness fo...Read More
The Chinese indium market jumped by 10.2% on Wednesday January 10, according to Metal Bulletin's weekly assessment, after exchanges prices soared. Chinese domestic indium prices were assessed at 1,650-1,800 yuan ($254-277) per kg on Wednesday, up from 1,550-1,580 yuan per kg previously. The price jump was attributed to increased purchases from investors on the Wuxi Stainless Steel Exchange fo...Read More