Sterlite Copper's Tuticorin smelter has advanced its scheduled maintenance and will close for "approximately" 15 days the company said, while thousands of local residents gathered to protest against the planned expansion.

Base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange were lower across the board during morning trading on Wednesday March 28, with copper recording the biggest decline.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are down across the board by an average of 0.6% this morning, Wednesday March 28. Losses are bunched together between 0.9% for lead and 0.3% for aluminium, with copper off by 0.7% at $6,613 per tonne.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Shanghai as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday March 28.

Base metals traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were broadly weaker during Asian morning trading on Wednesday March 28, with lead the only metal to post any gains.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Wednesday March 28.

Metal Bulletin and sister publication American Metal Market will follow its published pricing calendar for its base metals and minors, ores and alloys prices over the coming Easter Break.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s office in Shanghai as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Tuesday March 27.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rebounded during Asian morning trading on Tuesday March 27, buoyed by a weaker dollar and an improvement in risk appetite after fears of an escalation in tensions between the United States and China receded.

Copper, nickel and other energy metals will outperform in the next commodity up-cycle driven by electrical vehicles and renewable energy, and while zinc may underperform in comparison, prices could peak around middle of this year amid tight supply, Erik Sardain, managing partner and global strategist at consultancy Victorem Capital, said.