Antimony prices have dropped significantly in both Chinese and European markets so far this year due to weak demand and bearish sentiment caused by factors led by rising trade tensions between China and the United States, the world’s two largest economies.

Opportunities to lock in long-term sales of cobalt hydroxide – and diversify a customer base outside of China in the process – are too appealing to pass by in a market still feeling the effects of a ramp-up in intermediates supply.

Workers belonging to three trade unions at Codelco’s Chuquicamata division voted to go on strike when they rejected the latest contract proposal from the Chilean state-owned copper miner, the unions said on May 29.

The Mexican government has begun to unblock some of the frozen bank accounts owned by steelmaker Altos Hornos de México, the company said late on Wednesday May 29.

Surging iron ore prices have narrowed steelmaking margins in China, although the country’s long steel producers are unlikely to lower their prices anytime soon to stimulate sales, sources told Fastmarkets MB this week.