IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from July 24

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Wednesday July 24 that are worth another look.

While Vedanta cheered over South Africa’s recent court ruling against the Zambian government’s liquidation of its majority-owned Konkola Copper Mines, Zambian officials rebuked the decision and denied the enforceability of the foreign ruling that determines the future of the country’s largest copper smelting assets.

Market participants are referring to a zinc concentrates deal between miner Teck Resources and smelter Nyrstar as a European benchmark, aligning with deals at the same level in Asia.

The downward trend in automotive sales in the United States, Europe and China is weighing on aluminium suppliers, although its impact on Constellium NV has been modest, the company’s top executive said.

The dramatic shift in the dynamics of the lithium market over the past four years has changed business practices and increased demand for price transparency.

Major swings in the prices of both nickel and tin over the past month could presage similar moves across the base metals complex, reflecting the waning influence of the US-China trade war on the metals markets.

What to read next
Explore the base metals outlook 2026 and learn how market trends are impacting copper, tin, and other metals this year.
Fastmarkets proposes to amend the pricing frequency of its copper grade A cathode premium, delivered Germany; copper grade A cathode premium, cif Leghorn; and copper EQ cathode premium, cif Europe to one a week from the current fortnightly basis, effective December 30.
Find out how copper smelters are addressing demand challenges with innovative strategies at the Resourcing Tomorrow conference.
Explore Mercuria's new African copper joint venture with Gecamines, enhancing copper trade transparency and pricing.
Glencore copper output expected to drop as production difficulties at Collahuasi mine hinder 2026 forecast adjustments.
Explore the latest updates on Rio Tinto copper production, including its ambitious targets for 2025 and 2026.