China’s leading copper smelters have agreed on reduced price guidance for copper concentrate processing and refining charges (TC/RCs) for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a continued shortage of copper concentrates. The new rates, agreed upon at a meeting of the China Smelters Purchase Team in Shanghai, are set at $25 per metric ton and...
READ MOREChina’s tin ore imports totaled 12,000 tonnes in November 2024, equivalent to approximately 5,021 tonnes of tin in metal terms. This marked a 19.18% month-on-month decline and a 56.46% drop compared to the same period last year. In terms of metal content, November imports decreased by 23 tonnes from October. From January to November, total...
READ MOREIn December 2024, the India Times reported that Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Combine (UKTMK) signed an agreement with Indian Rare Earth Limited (IREL) to create a joint venture in India. The new facility will process ilmenite, sourced from Odisha with low titanium oxide (TiO2) content, into titanium slag, a material highly sought after in the...
READ MOREChina’s Ganfeng Lithium has officially commenced operations at its Goulamina lithium mine in Mali, overcoming security concerns, a stringent new mining code, and a global lithium supply glut. Located in the southern Bougouni region, the mine’s first phase began production in mid-December 2024, with an annual capacity of 506,000 tonnes of lithium. The second phase...
READ MORERecent data from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) reveal a decline in the recycling rate of aluminium beverage cans in the United States. In 2023, only 43% of aluminium cans shipped were recycled, a significant drop from the historical average of 52% since tracking began in 1990. While this rate remains...
READ MORELithium Americas has announced the completion of its joint venture (JV) with General Motors Holdings to fund, develop, construct, and operate the Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The project aims to supply battery-quality lithium carbonate for the North American critical minerals supply chain. Under the terms of the JV, Lithium Americas retains...
READ MORENegotiations for 2025 lithium supply agreements are underway, as producers seek better terms after another challenging year for the critical battery material. Lithium prices are on track for a second consecutive yearly decline, though the steep price rout that saw a near-90% slump from peak levels appears to have stabilized. Lithium refineries are pushing back...
READ MOREAccording to a survey by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), China’s primary aluminium prices and input costs have declined, reflecting muted demand for the commodities. Bauxite emerged as the only exception, with its domestic price remaining stable and its imported price increasing by $0.08 per tonne to $105.84 per tonne. A00 Aluminium Ingot Price On December...
READ MOREChile’s state-owned copper producer Codelco has applied for an environmental permit to extend the life of its Gabriela Mistral mine by more than 25 years. The proposed $800 million project would push the current closure date from 2028 to at least 2055, ensuring continued production at the Antofagasta region mine, which has been operational since...
READ MORENornickel, one of the world’s largest palladium producers, is working to broaden global demand for the metal by promoting innovative applications, addressing the anticipated decline in its use within internal combustion engine vehicles. The company, which produces more than 80 tonnes of palladium annually, foresees a long-term plateau in automotive industry demand—currently responsible for over...
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Nornickel, a leading Russian mining company and a top producer of palladium and nickel, has released its market projections for 2025, highlighting distinct supply and demand dynamics for copper, nickel, platinum, and palladium. Each metal’s outlook reflects a mix of global economic factors and industry-specific developments. CopperThe global copper market, currently in surplus by 200,000...
READ MOREThe global copper market is projected to see a surplus of 200,000 tonnes in 2024 before achieving balance in 2025, according to Nornickel’s latest market analysis. The company attributes this trend to growing demand spurred by renewable energy, electric vehicles, and rising global electricity consumption. While concerns about long-term copper supply shortages persist, recent investments...
READ MORENornickel, the world’s leading palladium producer, is aiming to counter declining demand from internal combustion engine vehicles by developing innovative applications for the metal. The company expects annual palladium demand in China to increase by 5-10 tonnes (7.6-15% of current consumption) from 2026-2027 through these efforts. Currently, over 80% of global palladium use comes from...
READ MOREThe global nickel market marked its third consecutive year of surplus in 2024, with oversupply heavily concentrated in the high-grade nickel sector. According to Nornickel, exchange stocks of nickel more than doubled during the year, surpassing 100,000 metric tons. When including over-the-counter inventories, global Class 1 nickel stockpiles are projected to grow by as much...
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