Further weakness in China’s Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), that fell to 48.3 in January from 49.7 in the prior month, was enough to dent confidence in the base metals market this morning, Friday February 1, with prices for the most part weaker as a result.

A joint venture between Trafigura and a Saudi Arabian company will start building a major copper, zinc and lead smelter complex in Saudi Arabia approximately one year from now, a company source has confirmed with Fastmarkets.

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Friday January 25 that are worth another look.

The market cannot get too excited about base metals prices in 2019 while the trade conflict between the United States and China continues to dominate headlines, INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir said.

INTL FCStone’s Edward Meir took the top spot on Fastmarkets’ Apex 2018 yearly base metals leaderboard with an accuracy rating of 98.75%.

M2 Cobalt Corp and Jervois Mining Ltd are to merge in a deal that will complement the latter’s ambitions in East Africa as part of its focus on the growing battery metals market.

On Monday January 7, Fastmarkets MB published an incorrect figure for the Shanghai-London physical arbitrage calculation for copper.

It’s been nine months since the United States announced Section 232 tariffs, and over six months since a 10% tax was applied to imports of aluminium from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday December 19.

Glencore’s Katanga Mining Ltd will pay the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) around $22.5 million as part of a settlement over the copper-cobalt producer’s historical disclosures.