Open consultation on Fastmarkets’ non-ferrous materials, industrial minerals methodologies

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on its pricing methodology and product specifications for non-ferrous materials and industrial minerals, as part of its announced annual methodology review process.

This consultation, which is open until Wednesday November 6, 2024, seeks to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical markets in base metals, minor metals, ores & alloys, rare earths and industrial minerals, in compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO) principles for price reporting agencies (PRAs). This includes all elements of our pricing process, our price specifications and publication frequency.

View the Non-ferrous Metals methodology here: fm-mb-non-ferrous-methodology-specifications.pdf

View the Rare Earths methodology here: fm-mb-rare-earths.pdf

View the Chrome Ore Index methodology here: – fm-mb-chrome-ore-index.pdf

View the Industrial Minerals methodology here: fm-im-industrial-minerals.pdf

The following prices are also currently subject to separate live consultations: 

MB-LI-0038 lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, technical and industrial grade, spot price range exw domestic China, yuan/tonne

MB-AL-0052 aluminum 6063 extrusion billet premium, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb

Please send responses in writing, preferably in electronic format, to the following address: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “FAO: Janie Davies/Jon Stibbs re: Non-ferrous and industrial minerals methodologies.” Please specify whether your response is confidential. Opinions offered in confidential responses may be referenced but will not be attributed in any way.

Fastmarkets will publish the outcome of this methodology review by November 11, 2024, including a summary of the feedback – with the exception of those responses marked as confidential. Any proposals to make material changes, discontinue or launch prices will involve a separate market consultation, the length of which will depend on how substantial the change is.

To see all Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents, go to: https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology/metals

What to read next
Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Thursday April 9, 2026.
Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-LI-0033 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan & Korea, which was published incorrectly on Thursday April 9 due to a typo. The published rationale for MB-LI-0033 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan […]
Fastmarkets launched two new aluminium scrap prices on Thursday, April 9, adding to Fastmarkets’ suite of recycled non-ferrous metals price assessments. The launch will elevate and expand Fastmarkets’ aluminium scrap coverage by including the following grades: Section 232 tariffs and the resulting high aluminium premiums have led to increased costs and rising interest in recycled […]
The proposal would align the index more closely with physically traded volumes in the region, and enable it to adjust to evolving market conditions. This proposal follows an observed widening of the spread between trader and smelter purchase components of the index and is aligned with a majority of market feedback. Additionally, Fastmarkets seeks feedback […]
The publication of Fastmarkets’ Soymeal CIF US Gulf Barge Hipro, Soymeal CIF US Gulf Barge Hipro Premium, Soymeal FOB US Gulf Barge Hipro and Soymeal FOB US Gulf Barge Hipro Premium assessments for April 6 and 7, 2026 was delayed because of a procedure lapse and a system error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
The publication of Fastmarkets' Hard coking coal domestic China spot market, Shanxi-origin, delivered Tangshan assessment for Tuesday April 7 was delayed due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.