According to Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), a leading Chinese metals industry data provider, China produced 551,500 metric tonnes of refined zinc in May 2025, marking a 2% increase compared to May 2024 but a 1% decline from April 2025. The cumulative output for the first five months reached approximately 2.658 million tonnes, representing a modest...
READ MOREChina’s exports of unwrought aluminum and assorted aluminum products have faced downward pressure in 2025, with total exports for the first quarter falling by more than 7% to 1.37 million tons. This structural decline persists despite short-term rebounds driven by favorable price arbitrage, as deep-seated international trade barriers and powerful domestic consumption continue to reshape...
READ MOREPlatinum prices in recent months have been volatile, driven by a combination of industrial demand, global macroeconomic conditions, and market sentiment. Prices are currently hovering around $1,210 per ounce, rebounding from May lows caused by US dollar appreciation and weak demand from the automaker segment. One of the leading drivers of current prices is the...
READ MOREEuropean aluminium scrap exports to the United States have surged 273% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, threatening to create critical shortages for European recyclers as US tariffs drive unprecedented demand for scrap metal. The crisis stems from the US doubling Section 232 tariffs on aluminium imports from...
READ MOREThe Indonesian Nickel Miners Association has received government approval to establish a domestic metal exchange targeting a first-half 2026 launch, as the world’s largest nickel producer seeks greater influence over global pricing after nickel ended 2024 at four-year lows. The exchange will initially focus on nickel pig iron futures contracts before expanding to other nickel...
READ MOREA chlorine gas leak at Kazakhstan’s Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant has raised concerns about potential supply disruptions that could drive global titanium prices up at least 15-20%, according to observers’ forecasts. The incident at UKTMP, which supplies 11% of global titanium production and 18% of aerospace-grade metal, highlights the concentrated nature of titanium supply...
READ MOREBHP Group, the world’s largest mining company and biggest iron ore producer, and Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational and the world’s second-largest mining company, have experienced share price pressure despite projections of massive demand increases for critical minerals. The International Energy Agency forecasts copper demand will increase 50%, nickel demand will more than double, and...
READ MOREKAZ Minerals reported a decrease in copper production in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The Kazakhstan-based producer attributed the decline primarily to lower ore grades across its operations, though output remained slightly above the level produced in the previous quarter. The company experienced reduced by-product volumes due to...
READ MOREGlobal alumina production, a key raw material for aluminum smelting, declined to 12.41 million tonnes in April, down 2% from the previous month, according to data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), an industry association. The drop was driven primarily by reduced output in China, which accounts for nearly 60% of global production. However, year-over-year...
READ MOREThe global refined copper market recorded a surplus of 289,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, a slight increase from 287,000 tonnes in the same period last year, according to the International Copper Study Group. Refined copper production worldwide rose by just over 3% year-on-year to 7.1 million tonnes between January and March, while...
READ MOREJohnson Matthey analysts expect the palladium market to move into balance in 2025, following more than a decade of deficits from 2012 to 2024. This shift is driven by a 6% drop in palladium demand, mainly due to reduced production of gasoline vehicles and weaker investment interest. The outlook for platinum group metals (PGMs)—platinum, palladium,...
READ MOREThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that global copper demand, driven by the transition to low-carbon energy systems, will outpace supply by as much as 30% by 2035 if new investments and projects do not materialize. The agency’s latest Global Critical Minerals Outlook highlights that copper—a metal essential for electrical grids, renewable energy, and...
READ MOREIndia’s government is preparing to defend its recent restrictions on copper cathode imports, arguing that there is adequate domestic supply and a sufficient number of certified suppliers, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The dispute stems from a petition filed with the Bombay High Court by the Bombay Metal Exchange and the Bombay...
READ MORECurrent Zinc Price Trends Zinc market has experienced notable fluctuations in early 2025, shaped by macroeconomic uncertainty, shifts in industrial demand, and evolving supply conditions. As of Q1 2025, the zinc price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) is averaging around $2,450 per metric ton, reflecting a modest recovery from the late-2023 lows of $2,300/t....
READ MORECurrent Platinum Price Trends As of Q2 2025, platinum prices are showing modest recovery from their 2023 lows. The metal is currently trading around $950–$1,000 per ounce, up from sub-$900 levels seen during the economic slowdown of 2023. Key drivers of recent price behavior include: Despite historically being more expensive than gold, platinum price is...
READ MORECurrent Aluminum Price Trends The aluminum market in 2025 reflects ongoing volatility shaped by energy prices, geopolitical tensions, and shifting industrial demand. As of Q2 2025, aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) are averaging around $2,300 per metric ton — a modest recovery from the lows of late 2023. Recent fluctuations are driven...
READ MORECurrent Nickel Price Trends The nickel market has seen significant volatility in recent months. As of early 2025, nickel prices have recovered slightly from the sharp downturn experienced in mid-2023, driven by oversupply and subdued demand in China. Benchmark prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have hovered around $16,000 to $17,500 per metric ton...
READ MORESumitomo Metal Mining has outlined its expectations for the global nickel and copper markets in its 2027 three-year business plan, forecasting continued surpluses in both metals through at least 2026. The company anticipates a nickel market surplus of around 200,000 tons annually in both 2025 and 2026, driven primarily by ongoing production growth in China...
READ MORESpot gold traded at around $3,239 per ounce in early Asian hours on Wednesday, after a modest recovery on Tuesday that saw prices close 0.46% higher at $3,249.90/oz. The rebound came after a more than 2.7% drop on Monday but may be short-lived, according to analysts. Christian Borjon Valencia of FXStreet noted that Tuesday’s rally...
READ MOREGlobal platinum production overview Platinum is a vital precious metal with applications in automotive catalysts, industrial processes, and jewelry. In recent years, its role in green hydrogen technologies and fuel cells has expanded its strategic value. Global platinum production reached approximately 236 metric tons in 2024, with South Africa accounting for over 70% of the...
READ MOREGlobal copper production overview The global copper industry continues to expand, driven by accelerating demand from energy transition technologies, electric vehicles, and infrastructure projects. In 2024, global copper production reached approximately 22.8 million metric tons, with significant contributions from Chile, Peru, China, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chile remains the leading producer, accounting for...
READ MOREGlobal nickel production overview Nickel plays a pivotal role in modern industry, especially as a key component in stainless steel and batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). In 2024, global nickel production was around 3.0 million metric tons, driven by demand from China and accelerating EV adoption. Indonesia leads the world in nickel output, accounting for...
READ MOREUK exports of aluminium to the United States will no longer face tariffs following a new agreement reached between the two countries. The deal, announced on Thursday, removes the Section 232 tariffs that had been imposed on British aluminium and steel, providing relief to UK producers who have faced prolonged trade friction since the measures...
READ MOREThe global copper market is forecast to see a widening surplus over the next two years, with the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) projecting an excess of 289,000 tonnes in 2025 and 209,000 tonnes in 2026. This marks a notable increase from the group’s earlier estimate of a 194,000-tonne surplus for 2025, reflecting stronger-than-expected supply...
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