The European Union is reportedly discussing new import restrictions on Russian aluminium as part of its 16th sanctions package against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine. However, the impact is expected to be limited, as Russian metal continues to find alternative buyers outside sanctioning countries. LME aluminium prices briefly rose above $2,600 per tonne in...
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The aluminium premium for shipments to Japanese buyers for the first quarter of 2025 has been set at $228 per metric ton, marking the highest level in nearly a decade. This represents a significant increase from the $175 per metric ton premium in the previous quarter and marks the fourth consecutive quarterly rise, according to...
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Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, including the geopolitical challenges posed by Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the outlook for the copper market remains positive, according to a report by Bank of America (BofA). The analysis highlights falling copper inventories in China, growing demand from the country, and ongoing supply constraints as key factors supporting strong...
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Cobalt prices have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly a decade, with the battery material trading at $11.02 per pound as of January 23. The price drop reflects record-high production levels, which continue to exert downward pressure on the market. The world’s largest cobalt producer, CMOC Group, achieved a record output of 114,165 tons...
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Scientists and companies in the U.S. are exploring novel ways to secure critical minerals, including a method called phytomining, which uses plants to extract metals like nickel from soil. This approach, backed by federal funding, aims to reduce reliance on traditional mining and mitigate China’s dominance in critical minerals. Phytomining relies on hyperaccumulators—plants that absorb...
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Indonesia has approved a 2025 nickel mining quota of 298.5 million wet metric tons, up from 271.89 million tons in 2024, according to the country’s nickel miners’ association (APNI). This announcement contradicts earlier reports of a potential production cut, with APNI Secretary General Meidy Katrin Lengkey confirming the figure during a parliamentary hearing. Earlier in...
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Saudi Arabia has announced plans to commence lithium mining by 2027, a move aimed at supporting its Vision 2030 initiative for economic diversification. The shift comes amid growing global demand for lithium, driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the transition to clean energy. With the support of Aramco and Ma’aden, the kingdom...
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Global refined copper production increased by 3.7% year-on-year to 25.11 million tonnes from January to November 2024, while consumption rose by 2.6% to 24.94 million tonnes, according to the International Copper Study Group’s latest report. This resulted in a surplus of 168,000 tonnes of refined copper during the period, a significant turnaround from a deficit...
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Element Six (E6), a leader in synthetic diamond advanced materials, is set to launch its groundbreaking Cu-Diamond product at Photonics West 2025. Cu-Diamond is a copper-plated diamond composite material designed to tackle thermal management challenges in advanced semiconductor devices. The material offers high thermal and electrical conductivity, making it a cost-effective solution for industries such...
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Two of the world’s largest mining companies, Rio Tinto and Glencore, are reportedly in early-stage discussions about a potential merger valued at an estimated £130 billion. If successful, the deal would create the world’s largest mining company, surpassing current leader BHP, which is valued at approximately $126 billion (£103 billion). The merger would combine Rio...
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China’s aluminium production rose by 4.2% year-on-year to 3.77 million metric tons in December, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday. However, daily output in December averaged 121,612 tons, marking a 1.7% decline from November’s daily average of 123,667 tons, based on Reuters’ calculations. The increase in monthly production was...
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Market analyst BMI has maintained its zinc price forecast for 2025 at $2,650 per tonne, citing weaker supply and demand dynamics. Zinc prices began the year at $2,888 per tonne but are projected to drop by 5.8% compared to the 2024 average of $2,812 per tonne. Tightening market fundamentals, including a shortage in zinc concentrate,...
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Lithium prices are forecasted to stabilize in 2025 after two years of sharp declines driven by a global oversupply. A nearly 86% drop in prices since their peak in November 2022 forced the closure of numerous mines worldwide. However, analysts and traders anticipate that strong electric vehicle (EV) sales in China and reductions in lithium...
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The European Commission is preparing to propose a ban on imports of Russian primary aluminum as part of its 16th sanctions package against Russia, EU diplomats revealed on Tuesday. The proposed measures aim to increase economic pressure on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Informal discussions were held among EU member states to finalize the...
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BHP Group and Lundin Mining have completed their joint acquisition of Filo and established Vicuña, a 50/50 joint venture that will oversee the Filo del Sol and Josemaria copper projects in Argentina and Chile. The total acquisition cost was C$4 billion (approximately USD 3 billion), excluding shares already held by both companies, BHP announced on...
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Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, managed to lift its annual copper output in 2024 to 1.328 million metric tons, narrowly escaping a 25-year low. However, concerns from union workers and analysts cast doubt on whether the company’s methods are sustainable as it targets an ambitious annual output of 1.7 million metric tons by the...
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Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (AMMC) plans to ramp up copper production to 500,000 tons annually by 2030, according to Abdulla Khursanov, Chairman of AMMC. The expansion will be driven by new projects in the Tashkent region, focusing on developing non-ferrous and precious metal deposits at the Almalyk and Angren ore fields and processing waste...
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Global alumina production dropped by 3.4% month-on-month to 12.21 million tonnes in November, according to data from the International Aluminium Institute. Despite the monthly decline, alumina output was still 1.9% higher compared to 11.98 million tonnes produced in November 2023. Average daily global alumina production decreased to 407,000 tonnes in November, down from a revised...
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Hamburger Energiewerke has partnered with the Aurubis copper smelter to utilize industrial waste heat for heating homes in Hamburg. The initiative, which is set to begin immediately, aims to supply up to 20,000 additional households with heat, marking the largest project of its kind in Germany. The waste heat is generated during a secondary stage...
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Brimstone, an Oakland-based leader in industrial innovation, has secured up to $189 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. This funding will support the development of Brimstone’s groundbreaking Rock Refinery™ plant, aimed at producing deeply decarbonized portland cement, supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), and smelter-grade alumina from domestically...
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China has imposed a ban on exporting gallium and germanium to the United States, escalating trade tensions between the two nations. These minerals are critical for industries ranging from renewable energy to military technology and electronics, and the ban could have far-reaching implications. Gallium and germanium are essential components in technologies such as computer chips,...
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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...
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