The build-up of Shanghai bonded copper stocks continued in April, albeit at a slower pace, with restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 disrupting logistics, particularly earlier in the month

Key talking points at Fastmarkets’ bauxite and alumina conference, held in Miami, United States, April 26-28.

Aluminium premiums in Europe continued to reach new highs in the week to Tuesday May 3, while premiums in the United States, Japan and Brazil were unchanged but well supported.

The European aluminium market has experienced extreme tightness so far in 2022, due to high energy costs pushing European smelters offline just when there has been strong demand and with the situation being exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Alumina produced in a sustainable way can command a premium like aluminium, panelists at Fastmarkets’ bauxite and alumina conference said on Thursday April 28

Bauxite miners in Guinea must build refineries in the country and respect their obligations or face administrative action, Moussa Magassouba, the country’s Minister of Mines & Geology, said during a keynote speech at Fastmarkets’ Bauxite and Alumina conference in Miami, United States, on Wednesday April 27.

Tight availability of metal and firm demand continued to drive aluminium premiums higher in the week to Tuesday April 19, with the duty-unpaid premium in Rotterdam reaching a new high, while the US Midwest premium held steady at its highest ever.

Fastmarkets’ United States offices will be closed on Friday April 15 in observance of Good Friday. There will be no separate AMM Daily Newsletter or AMM Scrap Settlements newsletter dated Tuesday April 19, although automated newsletters will still be available via the Fastmarkets Dashboard.

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its European 6063 aluminium billet and aluminium P1020A premiums, as part of a methodology review process to meet International Organization of Securities Commissions (Iosco) principles.

Low-carbon aluminium differentials in Europe widened in March, with market participants split on how much of a premium can be achieved for the green metal.