Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange put in a strong performance on the afternoon of Wednesday January 24, supported by the weaker dollar, to close in positive territory across the board.The three-month nickel price ended more than 5% higher than Tuesday's closing price after hitting its highest since June 2015. Volumes were also high today, with more than 18,000 lots traded by 17:15 Lo...Read More

Premiums for zinc and lead ingots were unchanged in a week where prices hit multi-year highs for both metals.The price of zinc continues to ratchet up, with the London Metal Exchange's three-month zinc contract peaking at $3,432 per tonne on Friday January 19, its highest point since July 2007. Similarly, the LME's three-month lead price gained to $2,616 per tonne on Wednesday January 24...Read More

Brazil's primary aluminium production has edged up in 2017, according to figures from the country's aluminium association Abal.Output totaled 801,000 tonnes last year, a modest 1.05% increase from the 792,700 tonnes produced in 2016. Only two primary aluminium producers are operating...Read More

Derek John Benham, who had more than 40 years of experience in the metals industry - mostly in cobalt and nickel - died earlier this month at the age of 65.Born in Enfield, UK, in 1952, Benham passed away on January 7 after bravely and discreetly fighting prostate cancer for many years. His wife Joan survives him."Derek was a true gentleman and it is a big loss to the metals industry," collea...Read More

Chilean miner Antofagasta produced 704,300 tonnes of copper in 2017, down 0.7% from a year ago, mainly attributed to lower grades at Los Pelambres and Centinela mines. The London-listed company said on Wednesday January 24 that the drop in output was partly offset by the start of operations at its Encuentro Oxides and a ramp-up at Antucoya projects. "The new additions to our portfolio at Zald?-var...Read More

Copper premiums in the United States and Europe were little changed on Tuesday January 23, although US participants are gaining more confidence as the year progresses, while in China premiums once again saw downward pressure on sluggish demand. US participants growing more optimistic due to construction figures and freight costs Chinese premiums falling due to softening demand European...Read More

Ratings agency Moody's has upgraded the global-scaled ratings of Brazilian flat steel producer Usiminas to B2 from Caa1, amid a gradual rebound in the national steel sector, the agency said on Wednesday January 24.The firm's national-scale rating was also upgraded to Ba1.br from B3.br."The upgrade of Usiminas to B2 reflects primarily the conclusion of its debt renegotiation process with the amorti...Read More

TSX: AZwww.arizonamining.com Mr. James Gowans reports:31 feet assaying 40.9% combined zinc-lead; and 11.7 opt silver-  within 81 feet assaying 27.1% combined zinc-lead; and 6.8 opt silver81 feet assaying 30.0% combined zinc-lead; and 8.3 opt silver137 feet assaying 14.5% combined zinc-lead; and 3.0 opt silverVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arizona Mining Inc. (T...Read More

TSX VENTURE: RYRwww.royalroadminerals.com Mr. Tim Coughlin reports:Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2018) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road Minerals" or the "Company"), a gold and copper focused mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") dated January 23, 20...Read More

TSX VENTURE: FCCwww.firstcobalt.com Mr. Trent Mell reports:TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - First Cobalt Corp. (TSX-V: FCC, ASX: FCC, OTCQB: FTSSF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce a research program to identify regional controls for cobalt-silver mineralization in the Cobalt Camp, Ontario. This is the latest of a series of initiatives to bring research and innovation into the 110-year old min...Read More

TSX VENTURE: BGMwww.barkervillegold.com Mr. Chris Lodder reports:TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV:BGM) (the "Company" or "Barkerville") is pleased to announce additional drilling results from the 2017 Phase II Island Mountain exploration and infill drilling program at the Company's flagship Cariboo Gold Project.   The Company is currently explo...Read More

TSX: SOLGwww.solgold.com.au Mr. Nicholas Mather reports:Bishopsgate, London (FSCwire) - The Board of SolGold (AIM code: SOLG) is pleased to provide an update on exploration at its 100% owned Timbara Project, in Southern Ecuador. The prospect is held in the 100% owned subsidiary Green Rock Resources ("Green Rock").HIGHLIGHTS:Two new outcrops of porphyry style copper mineralisation discovered at the...Read More

Domestic prices for steel wire rod narrowed upward by ?,?20 per tonne in Southern Europe this week as mills in the region raised their offer prices, sources told Metal Bulletin on Wednesday January 24.Metal Bulletin's weekly price assessment for domestic mesh-quality wire rod in Southern Europe narrowed upward to ?,?540-550 ($662-675) per tonne delivered on January 24, from ?,?520-550 per tonne de...Read More

TSX: VGZwww.vistagold.com Mr. Frederick Earnest reports:DENVER, Jan. 24, 2018 /CNW/ -- Vista Gold Corp. ("Vista" or the "Company") (NYSE American and TSX: VGZ) today announced the positive results of an updated preliminary feasibility study (the "PFS") for its Mt Todd gold project ("Mt Todd" or the "Project") in Northern Territory, Australia. The PFS is based on the results of a comprehensive revi...Read More

Domestic prices for rebar in Northern Europe remained largely stable week-on-week as European mills looked to raise offers, sources told Metal Bulletin on Wednesday January 24.Metal Bulletin's weekly price assessment for domestic rebar in Northern Europe was ?,?555-565 ($681-693) per tonne delivered on Wednesday, narrowing ?,?5 per tonne on each end...Read More

Key data from the Wednesday January 24 pricing session in Europe.Ferro-titanium 70% (max 4.5% Al) $ per kg, delivered duty-paid in EuropeKey drivers: - The ferro-titanium spot price is steady within its trading range this week, although some sources assessed the market slightly lower but with no confirmed trades. - Sources reported firm underlying consumption from steelmakers, with buying interest...Read More

The following Metal Bulletin noble alloys and ores prices changed on Wednesday January 24:Noble alloys Molybdenum Europe drummed molybdic oxide, $/lb: $12.00-12.20 per lb from $11.70-12.00 Ferro-molybdenum basis 65% min, in-warehouse Rotterdam, $/kg Mo: $29.75-30.50 per kg from...Read More

Major Chinese stainless steel mills Baosteel and Taiyuan Iron & Steel (Tisco) have raised their high-carbon ferro-chrome tender prices for February delivery due to concerns over the tightening supply of the ferro-alloy. Baosteel has raised its high-carbon ferro-chrome tender price for February delivery to 7,900 yuan ($1,234) per tonne, 600 yuan higher than its tender price for January delivery, a...Read More

China's coke export prices continued to weaken over the past fortnight, but the between offers widened amid limited trading activity.Metal Bulletin's price assessment for Chinese coke exports with 65% coke strength after reaction (CSR), 12.5% ash, and in physical sizes of 30-90mm, was $340-350 per tonne fob China for the week ending Tuesday January 23.This was down from $350-360 per tonn...Read More

Turkish steel mills returned to the deep-sea scrap markets for material at lower prices on Wednesday January 24, after a short break for price negotiations.Metal Bulletin's daily index for Northern European HMS 1&2 (80:20) closed the day at $346.50 per tonne cfr, down by $7.44 per tonne day-on-day.The daily index...Read More