IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from May 22

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday May 22 that are worth another look.

NLMK, Russia’s largest steelmaker, has started hot testing the new beneficiation section at its Stoilendkiy mining and beneficiation plant, the company said on May 22.

Metals traders have begun to feel the pinch after a turbulent period in commodity markets have caused some banks to step back from fully financing cargoes under letters of credit.

Miners and processors considering production cuts cannot ignore safety or care and maintenance, including of associated asset infrastructure, the former chief executive officer of Anglo American said.

Chinese copper smelters have been expanding blindly over the past decade, leading to extreme competition for overseas copper concentrate and placing the industry in a fragile position with regards to procurement, an Aluminum Corp of China (Chalco) official has said.

Chinese multi-metal company Jinchuan Group will conduct maintenance at its cobalt smelter in Gansu Province in early June, market sources told Fastmarkets on May 22.

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.