ASIAN MORNING BRIEF 05/12: Base metals prices mostly lose ground; European antimony prices rise; LME-listed warehouse companies diversifying

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Tuesday December 5.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mostly lower at the close on Monday December 4, with zinc falling 2.1%. Read more in our live futures report.

Here are how prices looked at 6.15pm London time.

Antimony prices climbed in Europe last week due to tightening availability of material with both grades now at parity, while the Chinese market slowed down.

Spot copper concentrate treatment and refining charges (TCs/RCs) continued to trend lower over the past two weeks as market buyers and sellers gathered to discuss 2018 annual contracts in Shanghai.

Warehouse companies operating LME-listed sheds have been diversifying away from pure exchange-based business during the past two years to combat the threat of shrinking margins and dwindling stocks associated with tougher rules and controls.

The gallium market will be significantly buoyed by supply cuts and demand recovery, while the demand outlook is bullish in the market, sources told Metal Bulletin at the Global Minor Metals Forum late last week.

Digitization and blockchain developments are touted as the solutions to warehouse receipt fraud and for boosting metals trade financing, but the adoption of such solutions in Asia could prove uneven.

Low-grade manganese ore prices continued to fall last week while Chinese imports offset the effect of rising silico-manganese futures prices.

China’s silicon metal export price plunged in Metal Bulletin’s latest assessment, with export traders lowering their offers to secure bookings.

Metal Bulletin wraps up seven key things learned at the Global Minor Metals Forum in Chengdu city, in China’s Sichuan province, from November 28-30.

Chinese ferro-silicon prices have been steady during the past week, consolidating increases from a run higher through November. The European market has risen, with the top end of the trading range moving up due to new trades and more buoyant sentiment.

What to read next
Following an initial consultation with the market, Fastmarkets is proposing to:  The new specifications would be as follows, with amendments in italics: MB-CU-0002 Copper grade 1 cathode premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb Quality: Grade A 99.9935% min copper cathode conforming to LME specifications BS EN 1978:2022 – Cu-CATH-1 or Grade 1 Electrolytic Copper Cathode ATSM B1115-10 Quantity: Min […]
Fastmarkets’ 2025 outlook for key raw materials and ingredients used in the production and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods.
Vale Base Metals plans to boost annual copper production to 700,000 tonnes by 2035, aiming to become a top-five global producer of nickel and copper. CEO Shaun Usmar highlights a focus on productivity, cost optimization and sustainable growth. With strong assets in Canada and Brazil, Vale is well-positioned to meet rising global demand.
Fastmarkets has corrected its fob Australia alumina index, which was published incorrectly on Monday June 2 and Tuesday June 3 due to a back-end calculation error. Fastmarkets has also corrected all the related inferred indices. On June 2 the following prices were published incorrectly: Fastmarkets’ MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, was published in error as $375.59 per […]
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.