Large volume inquiries for spot cobalt units returned in the first half of the week, leaving market participants to suggest prices are close to bottoming out after 15 consecutive weeks of declines.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday August 15.

Warehouse queues emerged at London Metal Exchange-listed sheds in July after a surge in cancellations last month, especially in the exchange's aluminium inventory, according to LME data.

The electrification of vehicles and the need to store electricity generated by renewable energy sources - mainly solar and wind - point to huge demand for lithium-ion batteries.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were positively higher in the morning of Thursday August 9, with the complex up an average of 0.4%.

With available stocks at record lows, aluminium spreads on the London Metal Exchange are increasingly volatile.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Thursday August 2.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Friday July 27.

Indonesia will have to wait until 2023 to see a share of copper from Grasberg, despite having agreed to pay $3.85 billion to gain a majority stake in the mine.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday July 25.