Premiums for aluminum buyers in the U.S. physical market surged to record highs on Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s announcement that tariffs on Canadian aluminum would double to 50%. The increase, set to take effect Wednesday, comes in response to Ontario imposing a 25% tariff on electricity exports to the U.S. Physical aluminum transactions typically...
READ MOREVale Overseas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vale S.A., has announced the Total Consideration payable in connection with its previously disclosed cash tender offers for outstanding notes. The offer applies to a maximum aggregate principal amount of notes up to US$450,000,000, excluding any premium and accrued interest. The Offers are subject to the conditions outlined...
READ MOREIndonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is weighing an increase in mining taxes across various minerals, including copper and coal, as part of a shift from fixed-rate royalties to a price-dependent structure. The proposal, outlined in a public consultation document released over the weekend, comes as the government seeks additional revenue to fund major...
READ MOREPeter Navarro, former trade adviser to Donald Trump, has accused Australia of undermining the U.S. aluminium market through subsidies and unfair competition. His claims, published in USA Today, have sparked debate, particularly regarding their accuracy and implications for Australia’s trade relationship with the U.S. Navarro alleged that Australia and Canada were launching “frontal assaults” on...
READ MORECopper miner Freeport Indonesia could receive an export quota of approximately 1 million metric tons of copper concentrate, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. The quota, valid for six months, falls under a government regulation that permits mineral exports under force majeure conditions. Indonesia, a resource-rich nation, has enforced an export ban...
READ MOREPresident Donald Trump has directed the secretary of commerce to investigate national security risks posed by the United States’ increasing dependence on imported copper. The probe may lead to policy measures aimed at securing domestic copper supply, though experts warn that meeting demand without relying on imports poses a significant challenge. The U.S. Geological Survey...
READ MOREChina has called on the United States to halt its investigation into potential new tariffs on copper imports, warning of retaliatory measures if Chinese entities are affected. The statement came after President Donald Trump directed the Commerce Department to launch a national security probe into copper imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act...
READ MOREPresident Donald Trump has announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to sign an agreement with the United States that would provide valuable minerals in exchange for potential additional military aid. The deal comes as Ukraine enters the fourth year of its conflict with Russia and seeks to maintain U.S. support as a key...
READ MOREThe Bolivian government suspended a public meeting on Thursday following over two hours of protests against lithium contracts with a Chinese-led consortium. The demonstrations occurred in Potosí, where the planned lithium carbonate plants will be built. In November 2023, state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) signed a $1 billion lithium production service deal with Hong...
READ MOREUkraine holds 23 of the 50 strategic materials identified as critical by the U.S. and 26 of the 34 recognized by the EU. Key resources include titanium, graphite, lithium, beryllium, and rare earth elements (REEs), essential for aerospace, defense, energy storage, and semiconductor manufacturing. Titanium and beryllium are crucial for aerospace and defense. Ukraine has...
READ MOREJapan’s influence in quarterly aluminium premium negotiations continues to decline due to reduced imports of primary ingots and the sale of overseas smelter holdings by Japanese firms. This shift could lead to higher import premiums, adding pressure to an economy already affected by inflation, rising interest rates, and a weak yen, according to industry experts....
READ MOREKorea Zinc is reinforcing its position in the global critical minerals supply chain following China’s expanded export restrictions on tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium. As the sole domestic producer of three of these minerals, Korea Zinc plays a key role in South Korea’s supply stability and accounts for 29% of U.S. indium imports. China’s...
READ MOREPresident Donald Trump has signed new proclamations restoring and expanding the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, initially implemented in 2018. The revised measures reinstate a 25% tariff on steel imports and increase the aluminum tariff from 10% to 25%, removing all country-specific exemptions. The original tariffs led to over $15 billion in...
READ MORESouth32, a major aluminum producer, does not anticipate significant disruptions in its shipments to the U.S. despite upcoming blanket tariffs on aluminum imports under the Trump administration. CEO Graham Kerr stated that the increased costs would likely be passed on to American consumers rather than reshaping the company’s sales strategy. The U.S., which imports over...
READ MOREBarrick Gold is evaluating whether to place its suspended Loulo-Gounkoto mine in Mali under care and maintenance, as the site remains inoperative following the seizure of its gold stockpiles and the detention of four employees. CEO Mark Bristow stated that the company is engaged in discussions with Malian authorities to resolve the situation and secure...
READ MOREChina has introduced stricter requirements for establishing new copper smelters in an effort to curb excessive capacity expansion in the world’s leading producer of refined copper. Under a new 2025-2027 development plan issued by 11 government ministries, companies seeking to build smelting facilities must control sufficient mine supply, either through direct ownership or equity stakes....
READ MOREThe Trump administration has confirmed that a 25% tariff on all foreign aluminum imports to the United States will take effect on March 4. The announcement followed President Donald Trump’s signing of the order, which he said aims to simplify tariffs on metals and ensure clarity in their application. “This is 25 percent with no...
READ MOREBritish Columbia officials are optimistic about securing alternative markets for aluminum produced at the BC Works smelter in Kitimat, following tariff threats from the United States. Ravi Kahlon, the minister coordinating the province’s response, stated that Rio Tinto, the operator of the smelter, is confident it will quickly find non-U.S. buyers. Premier David Eby recently...
READ MORECentury Aluminum Company has voiced strong support for President Donald Trump’s executive order to enhance Section 232 tariffs, aimed at combating unfair trade practices that have impacted the U.S. primary aluminum industry. The order imposes a 25% tariff on all primary aluminum imports into the U.S. and closes loopholes that previously allowed nearly 75% of...
READ MOREChinese companies now control approximately 75% of Indonesia’s nickel refining capacity, according to a report by Washington-based global security nonprofit C4ADS. The report highlights concerns over supply chain dominance and environmental risks associated with this foreign influence. Indonesia’s total nickel refining capacity stands at 8 million metric tons, spread across 33 companies. However, ownership tracing...
READ MOREeports that the US administration is considering a uniform 25 percent tariff on all aluminium imports highlight the volatility in global trade. Although these tariffs are not yet confirmed, their potential implementation could have significant implications for Australian industries. The Minerals Council of Australia is collaborating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and...
READ MOREA New York judge has authorized Trafigura to subpoena records from major banks to trace the whereabouts of funds linked to a $600 million fraud the company alleges was orchestrated by metals trader Prateek Gupta. Trafigura filed a request in New York last month seeking access to bank records related to transfers made by companies...
READ MOREThe Aluminium Association of Canada has expressed strong opposition to the 25% tariffs announced by the U.S. administration, calling them disruptive and damaging to both Canadian and American economies. Jean Simard, President and CEO of the association, stated, “We are disappointed, but we were expecting this and are ready for it.” He emphasized that the...
READ MOREChina announced new export restrictions on five critical metals on Tuesday, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The restrictions apply to tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, indium, molybdenum, and related products, which are essential in defense, clean energy, and various industrial sectors. The Chinese Commerce Ministry stated that the...
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