ASIAN MORNING BRIEF 27/07: Base metal prices inch up following US-EU meeting; Novelis in deal to buy Aleris for $2.6 bln; Indonesia won’t own Grasberg share until 2023

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Friday July 27.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were marginally higher at the close of trading on Thursday July 26, bolstered by an easing in trade tensions after the United States and European Union agreed to negotiate tariffs on industrial goods. Read more in our live futures report.

Here are how prices looked at the close of trading:

Aluminium automotive sheet producer Novelis has entered into an agreement to purchase competitor Aleris Corp for $2.6 billion, both companies confirmed following months of speculation.

Indonesia will have to wait until 2023 to see a share of copper from the Grasberg copper mine due to an agreement reached in 1995.

Teck Resources is seeking an additional partner to help develop a new resource at the Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile.

Russian steelmaker Evraz reported sales volumes fell by nearly 15% in the first half of 2018 due to lower crude steel output at one of its supplier plants.

German metals distributor Klöckner expects its 2018 earnings to be supported by higher demand and steel prices in both Europe and the US, the company’s two main markets.

What to read next
Fastmarkets has corrected its fob Australia alumina index, which was published incorrectly on Monday June 2 and Tuesday June 3 due to a back-end calculation error. Fastmarkets has also corrected all the related inferred indices. On June 2 the following prices were published incorrectly: Fastmarkets’ MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, was published in error as $375.59 per […]
Mexico’s strategic role in automotive nearshoring is fueling demand for recycled aluminium, with investment in scrap-intensive sectors boosting its non-ferrous secondary markets. Despite tariff uncertainties, USMCA compliance and EV production growth continue to attract global manufacturers.
Goldcorp founder Rob McEwen is back in the spotlight with a bold bet on copper in Argentina. The $2.5 billion Los Azules project, set to become Argentina’s first major copper mine in over 30 years, is reshaping the country’s mining industry while raising sustainability standards. Positioned as a key player in addressing a global copper shortage, the project highlights innovation, persistence and a commitment to meeting the growing demand from global electrification.
Fastmarkets has launched MB-NI-0257, high-grade nickel matte payable indicator, 65-75% nickel contained, cif China, % of official exchange price on Friday May 30.
The following price was affected: MB-AL-0020 Aluminium P1020A premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb.  This price is a part of the Fastmarkets Base Metals package. For more information or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this price or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to this price, please […]
The US aluminium industry is experiencing challenges related to tariffs, which have contributed to higher prices and premiums, raising questions about potential impacts on demand. Alcoa's CEO has noted that sustained high prices could affect the domestic market. While trade agreements might provide some relief, analysts expect premiums to remain elevated in the near term. However, aluminum demand is projected to grow over the long term, supported by the energy transition and clean energy projects. To meet this demand, the industry will need to increase production, restart idle smelters and address factors such as electricity costs and global competition.