ASIAN MORNING BRIEF 14/11: LME base metal prices recoup some losses; Novelis to increase aluminium output in South America; Gécamines seeking emergency meeting on KCC cobalt suspension

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday November 14.

Base metal closing prices on the London Metal Exchange were mixed on Tuesday November 13, with lead showing the biggest positive move of the day while zinc failed to close above its nearby support level amid record-low LME inventories for both metals. Read more in our live futures report.

Here are how prices looked at the close of trading:

Novelis will spend $175 million to expand aluminium production at its Pindamonhangaba plant in South America, with aluminium sheet rolling output to grow by 100,000 tonnes to 680,000 tonnes per year and recycling by 60,000 tonnes to 450,000 tpy.

Gécamines has requested an emergency meeting over the decision last week to suspend the export and sale of cobalt from Kamoto Copper Co in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in which it is a stakeholder. 

BMO Capital Markets is bearish on the benchmark copper treatment and refining charge for next year, with the Canadian financial services provider indicating that it might show a small fall in 2019 because of the tightening supply of concentrates.

The Comex copper price recovered modestly in the US on Tuesday morning, with the dollar index showing some weakness and allowing the price to climb.

The domestic Chinese ferro-silicon market was stable during the week ended November 9, with suppliers focusing on the domestic market. Meanwhile, the European price stabilized after the prior week’s drop and the US ferro-silicon spot market was steady week on week.

The United Arab Emirates’ domestic steel rebar price fell over the past week, along with low bids from customers, while the price for imported rebar was stable.

What to read next
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.
Read Fastmarkets' monthly base metals market for May 2025 focusing on raw materials including copper, nickel aluminium, lead, zinc and tin.
The Mexico Metals Outlook 2025 conference explored challenges and opportunities in the steel, aluminum and scrap markets, focusing on tariffs, nearshoring, capacity growth and global trends.
China has launched a coordinated crackdown on the illegal export of strategic minerals under export control, such as antimony, gallium, germanium, tungsten and rare earths, the country’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday May 9.
Fastmarkets proposes to amend the frequency of Taiwan base metals prices from biweekly to monthly, and the delivery timing for the tin 99.99% ingot premium from two weeks to four weeks.
The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.