IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from May 14

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday May 14 that are worth another look.

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine’s major long steel producer, has decommissioned the first section of its blooming plant as a part of a strategy for sustainable development, the company said on May 14.

The European Commission’s (EC) prior surveillance of imports of certain aluminium products originating in certain third countries will expire on Friday May 15.

Daye Nonferrous has maintained its mission to construct a brand new copper smelting facility despite the uncertain outlook for commodity demand and price volatility, Fastmarkets understands.

Spot payables for cobalt intermediates moved higher in the first half of this week after buyers in Asia reviewed their nearby stock levels in the context of a slower-than-expected restart in shipping from South Africa, and border closures between Tanzania and Zambia.

Vanadium producer Largo Resources has postponed construction of its ferro-vanadium conversion plant at its Maracas Menchen mine in Brazil due to Covid-19 preventative measures, the company said in its first-quarter earnings release on Tuesday May 12.

What to read next
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.
Read Fastmarkets' monthly base metals market for May 2025 focusing on raw materials including copper, nickel aluminium, lead, zinc and tin.