There are more signs emerging of the green steel evolution in Asia, even as steelmakers seek to differentiate themselves with green certifications to edge ahead of competitors, market sources have told Fastmarkets.

Brazilian miner Vale's fourth-quarter premiums for direct-reduced (DR) and blast furnace (BF) iron ore pellets have been adjusted to their lowest levels since the start of the year - but what does this key supplier's move reveal about the state of steelmaking in 2024?

Prices for lithium carbonate and spodumene rose at the beginning of October, supported by renewed strength on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX) following news of stimulus measures to support China’s economy

Higher costs resulting from a tentative deal to end the strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports could reduce imports, increase reshoring and drive up the cost of steel products in the US, according to market observers and participants

Read an excerpt of our weekly Lumber Market Report, examining the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Correction to rationale for alumina index, fob Australia on October 4

Freeport-McMoRan is in the process of ramping up its new copper smelter in Gresik, Indonesia, in a move that has seen the company switch away from being a marketer of concentrates as it becomes a fully integrated producer in the country, the company's chief executive officer Kathleen Quirk told Fastmarkets in an interview during the London Metal Exchange (LME) Week 2024.

Long-term demand trends in the copper sector may reduce cyclical price moves driven by short term factors impacting sentiment, Freeport-McMoRan's chief executive officer Kathleen Quirk told Fastmarkets in an interview during the London Metal Exchange (LME) Week 2024.

“There’s just no fear in the marketplace," one source said.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ Mineral Sands Monthly price assessments for Thursday October 3 was delayed to 17:51 from 16:00 due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.