Codelco is currently negotiating with fellow Chilean miner Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) to create a lithium production partnership, the chairman of the state-owned copper producer told Fastmarkets

Codelco expects to begin to gradually increase its copper production following several years of declining output, with a roughly 30% rise from current levels expected by 2030, the chairman of Chile’s state-owned copper company told Fastmarkets

European industrial production is struggling due to high interest rates, rising energy costs and inflation, but with the German economy hit particularly hard, market participants in the base metals sector are worried that the EU powerhouse might fall into a recession

The spot copper markets in Europe and the United States were very quiet in the week to Tuesday October 3, with macroeconomic headwinds pressuring demand for the red metal in both regions

Spot trading in the copper concentrate market was inactive in the week to Friday September 29, with Chinese participants in holiday mode ahead of China’s weeklong break for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day (September 29-October 6)

Participants in Europe’s copper industry struck a pessimistic tone in conversations with Fastmarkets in the lead-up to LME Week, with sources saying that weak demand, high interest rates and a poor macro-economic environment were dampening the mood in the industry

Aluminium premiums in Asia and the United States were little changed in the week to Tuesday September 26, while premiums in Europe declined across the board

China’s aluminium industry can expect to see growing demand from the downstream packaging sector, Fastmarkets understands, after the government proposed to speed up the use of aluminium foil in food packaging

Key talking points at Fastmarkets’ International Aluminium conference in Barcelona, Spain, on September 12-14

Rising aluminium prices can present opportunities and risks for investors – but what are the main factors supporting a bullish market on LME aluminium and what is the impact on your investment decisions in the short-term?