The Mexican aluminium market might be strongly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with supply constraints and consequently higher premiums, market participants told Fastmarkets on Tuesday March 10.

Guinea, the world's biggest bauxite producer, is considering plans to compel miners to curb exports of bauxite in a bid to halt the slump in the price of the key raw material for aluminium production, sources told Fastmarkets on Monday March 9.

Canadian miner Teck Resources and Korea Zinc have agreed to set treatment charges (TCs) for zinc concentrates at $85 per tonne this year, a slight adjustment from last year’s all-time low of $80 per tonne, four sources told Fastmarkets on Friday March 6.

US animal fats and oils markets have moved higher in recent weeks alongside gains in soybean oil futures and diesel values, with improving renewable diesel and biodiesel economics driving stronger demand for feedstocks.

Lundin Mining and BHP published a preliminary economic assessment on February 16 for their Vicuña joint venture, projecting average annual copper production of 395,000 tonnes over the first 25 years of operation as Argentina’s copper concentrate pipeline continues to build. PSJ Cobre Mendocino separately confirmed on February 14 that its feasibility study was under way.

Chinese lead smelters turned more bearish on the procurement of raw materials in the week to Friday February 13, amid heightened price volatility in silver, which is often contained in lead ores as an important by-product and contributor to smelter profits, sources told Fastmarkets.

This decision was proposed in a methodology note published on February 9, which you can view here. This decision follows preliminary discussions with the market as well as internal meetings to review relevant Fastmarkets data, which suggested that there was low spot liquidity and price volatility. No negative feedback was received during the consultation period. The […]

The war between Israel, the United States and Iran is already affecting the flow of agricultural commodities from South America to Iran, particularly feed, with some soymeal cargoes said to have been washed out, market sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Thursday March 5.

Brazilian BEK prices remained influenced by seasonal demand patterns, currency movements and buyer inventory strategies, as early signs of the Middle East conflict impact on pulp markets emerged through logistics and cost considerations.

The two prices will broaden coverage of the world’s largest graphite flake market, complementing existing Fastmarkets’ graphite flake offerings. The new Chinese domestic prices will provide market participants with additional reference points, capturing unique dynamics of Chinese graphite market, particularly in the wake of graphite export controls that have raised the need for domestic market […]