IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from January 28

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Tuesday January 28 that are worth another look.

A strong rise in Chinese steel production led the way to a 3.4% year-on-year increase in global crude steel output in 2019, according to the World Steel Association.

Aluminium premiums in Europe continued to buck the general trend in the week ended January 28, rising further while premiums in Asia and the United States were static.

Mexican steel scrap prices changed little in the week ended Friday January 24, with market participants waiting to see a clearer definition of the international price trend.

Chilean copper content in mine production is estimated to reach 7.04 million tonnes in 2030, rising by 19.7% from 5.88 million tonnes expected in 2019, the country’s copper commission Cochilco announced.

Demand for seaborne iron ore concentrate weakened ahead of a week-long public holiday in China for the Chinese New Year with mills in the country likely to have built up their inventories well in advance, while that for pellets was stronger due to last-minute restocking.

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Based on preliminary market feedback, market participants noted that smaller-sized spot market transactions may be skewed and not reflective of the wider market. The aluminium P1020A(MJP), cif Japan, assessment specification which has a minimum tonnage of 100 tonnes will be amended to 500 tonnes after the proposed change. The proposed new specifications are as follows, […]
Fastmarkets consulted the market on the proposed change between April 3 and May 11, 2026. Some feedback was received regarding the publication times of nickel pig iron and laterite ore prices. Fastmarkets will adjust the initially proposed publication times accordingly and proceed with the changes. This decision was first proposed in a methodology note published […]
The price assessments were not affected by the incorrect publication and the correct prices are showing on Dashboard. The price was published at 12.33pm London time instead of the scheduled time of 3-4pm. The following prices were published early:MB-CU-0405 Copper grade A cathode premium, in-whs Shanghai, $ per tonneMB-CU-0383 Copper grade A cathode ER premium, bonded in-whs […]
On Wednesday May 6, a critical minerals panel at Commodities Trading Week in London said metals markets are shifting from an energy transition-led narrative toward security of supply, leaving Europe particularly exposed because of its reliance on imports.
The Canadian government announced on Tuesday May 4 a new financing program worth C$1.5 billion ($1.1 billion) to help mitigate the effect of US metals tariffs and support several of Canada’s tariffed industries.
Fastmarkets wishes to clarify that it accepts data submissions in outright price and as a differential to the Mineral Benchmark Price (HPM)-plus-premium for its Indonesian domestic trade nickel ore price assessments. Fastmarkets is also seeking market feedback on recent changes to the Indonesian government’s HPM specifications.