Metal

India has remained a net importer of steel during the first four months of the fiscal year beginning in April, with China emerging as the largest supplier. Provisional government data indicates that India imported 2.69 million metric tons of steel while exporting only 1.57 million tons in the same period. As the world’s second-largest crude […]

Chilean copper giant Codelco is undertaking significant investments to enhance its sustainability credentials in response to increasing pressure from global clients for environmentally responsible mining practices. This effort includes the introduction of electric buses, the establishment of cactus nurseries, and initiatives to recycle metal materials and tools. As the world’s largest copper producer, Codelco is […]

The prices of rare earth elements, crucial for technologies ranging from lasers to electric vehicles, are under significant pressure due to weak demand and ample supply. In the first seven months of 2024, exports of rare earths from China, the leading producer, increased by 7.5% year-on-year. However, despite this rise, prices have fallen to their […]

In July, China significantly increased its coal imports from Indonesia, Mongolia, and Australia, driven by higher demand due to hotter weather. Customs data revealed that total coal imports rose to a seven-month high of 46.21 million tons, marking an 18% increase year-on-year. Notably, Indonesia, the largest coal exporter to China, saw its shipments rise by […]

BHP’s swift resolution of a recent six-day strike at its Escondida copper mine in Chile may influence upcoming labor negotiations across the mining sector. The strike, initiated by Union No. 1 members demanding better pay and benefits, concluded with a favorable agreement that included a substantial bonus and an interest-free loan of approximately $34,000 for […]

Gold prices have surged to record highs, reaching $2,526.07 an ounce, driven by geopolitical tensions, uncertainties surrounding the upcoming U.S. Presidential election, and expectations of interest rate cuts. This rally has made gold one of the best-performing assets of 2024, with prices up over 20% this year. Analysts predict that gold could climb even higher, […]

China’s recent decision to impose export limits on antimony may initially seem like a strategic move rooted in Realpolitik, given its military applications, including use in nuclear weapons and night-vision technology. However, the underlying motivation is significantly tied to climate change and the country’s push for renewable energy. Antimony is crucial for enhancing photovoltaic glass, […]

Fitch Ratings has warned that operating costs for Indian metal and mining companies are poised to increase significantly following a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows state governments to impose additional mining taxes. This ruling, upheld last month, grants states the right to levy taxes on mineral extraction retroactively from April 1, 2005, with payments […]

The copper market is witnessing a significant shift as investors retreat, leaving physical buyers to take control amid deteriorating demand expectations, particularly from top consumer China. This change follows a buying frenzy earlier this year that drove copper prices to record highs above $11,100 per metric ton in May, fueled by predictions of a supply […]

The union representing workers at the Escondida copper mine in Chile, the largest in the world, has signed a new three-year agreement with BHP, effectively ending a potential strike that could have disrupted global copper supplies. The deal includes improvements in labor conditions, such as initiatives to optimize shift changes, enhance equipment utilization, and ensure […]