ASIAN MORNING BRIEF 30/03: Secondary aluminium market chaotic; mining labor talks could weigh on copper; EU steel safeguards may hurt distributors

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Friday March 30.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were split into two camps at the close on Thursday March 29, with the market shutting down for a long Easter weekend. Read more here in our live futures report.

Here are how LME prices looked at Thursday’s close:

The European secondary aluminium market is said to be in a state of “madness” as prices hit a 2018 low for the seventh straight week due to falling London Metal Exchange prices and increased availability. 

Labor negotiations at several of the world’s leading copper mines are set to take place this year – and they may have a significant impact on global copper supply and prices

Steel safeguard measures proposed by the European Union could disadvantage independent metal distributors, sources told Metal Bulletin.

Chinese blister copper refining charges continue to climb on ample stocks along with softened demand for refined copper.

International miners meeting in the Democratic Republic of Congo have submitted a formal proposal to the country’s Ministry of Mines meant to address concerns of royalty rates and the price of key commodities.

And finally, no injuries or change in production were reported following an explosion at Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) earlier this week.

What to read next
Half a million tonnes of copper is sitting in US warehouses, and the traders who put it there are starting to wonder whether they’ve built a hedge, or a trap.
European automotive procurement faces growing complexity due to regional cost volatility and policy-driven supply chains reshaping material pricing and sourcing strategies. This demands granular, region-specific market intelligence for precise cost modeling and strategic decision-making.
The assessment, which currently follows the UK holiday calendar, will follow the Singapore holiday calendar after the proposed change. There will be no change to the publication timing, and the assessment will continue to be published weekly on Wednesdays, at 7pm Singapore time. The purpose of the adjustment is to align the timing to the […]
JX Advanced Metals, Mitsui Kinzoku, Marubeni and Mitsubishi Materials(MMC) inked a deal to integrate MMC's copper concentrate procurement and related products sales business into Pan Pacific Copper (PPC), marking a significant consolidation of Japan's copper concentrate purchasing sector amid persistent pressure from weak treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs).
The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessments of the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, and the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, cif Shanghai for Tuesday May 26 were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were affected:MB-NI-0143 Nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, […]
Copper producers, including Atlas Mining, reported higher earnings in the first quarter of 2026 on the back of elevated copper prices, while concentrate output declined at several operations in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and the Philippines due to lower ore grades and disruptions, according to company results reviewed by Fastmarkets.