Canada-based Cobalt Blockchain Inc (COBC) expects final ratification shortly for a copper/cobalt trading and export license that will allow it to establish regional buying depots in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), process minerals in-country and export internationally.

Jiangxi Copper, China’s largest copper smelter, is planning to set up metal concentrates blending and scrap processing operations in Southeast Asian countries, Metal Bulletin has learned.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were firmer on the morning of Monday May 21, with prices up by an average of 0.4%. Lead was out in front with a 0.9% rise, while copper was up by 0.6% at $6,864 per tonne.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Asia, bringing the latest news and pricing stories on Monday May 21.

Nickel prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell during Asian morning trading on Monday May 21 amid a stronger dollar, but the outlook for the metal remains positive owing to strong fundamentals.

The outlook for base metals is a positive one, with copper ready to push into a long period of bullishness, said Guy Wolf, Marex Spectron’s global head of market analytics.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Friday May 18.

New smelters and expansions at a suite of Chinese copper smelting companies will create fresh demand for concentrates from the third quarter of this year.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Thursday May 17.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board during Asian morning trading on Thursday May 17 after the dollar weakened, with copper seeing additional support from short-covering.