Treatment and refining charges for copper concentrate fell again to new 10-year-lows in the week ended Friday March 12, with Fastmarkets’ copper concentrate index dropping to less than $30 per tonne/3 cents per lb for the first time.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were down across the board during morning trading on Tuesday March 16, with tin’s price falling the most to $24,630 per tonne – this after the complex mostly ended in positive territory on Monday.

Base metals prices were mixed this morning, with those on the London Metal Exchange mainly weaker, while prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were more mixed this morning, Tuesday March 16, but Asian-Pacific equities were upbeat.

Markets are starting the week mixed with base metals prices and equities in different regions showing divergent performances this morning, Monday March 15.

Base metals prices on both the London Metal Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed this morning, Friday March 12, with prices generally consolidating after recent weakness/consolidation. A lack of follow-through selling suggests underlying sentiment is still bullish.

Peruvian copper and zinc production fell year on year in January, partially erasing the recovery seen in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to data published by the ministry of energy and mines, Minem, on Thursday March 11.

The three-month nickel price on the London Metal Exchange fell to $15,910 per tonne during morning trading on Tuesday March 9, while the aluminium price slid by 1%, with consolidation mode still in force across the complex as a number of macroeconomic factors affect sentiment.

Base metals prices on both the London Metal Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed this morning, Tuesday March 9, with prices generally consolidating after recent weakness, while there are cross currents in the form of bond yields, stimulus and inflation expectations affecting sentiment.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were weaker this morning, Monday March 8, but prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mainly stronger while they caught up with the gains on the LME on Friday.

Glencore has appointed BMO Capital Markets to arrange the sale or explore partnerships for its entire wholly-owned zinc, lead and silver mining portfolio in South America, according to several sources and documents viewed by Fastmarkets.