LME Week 2025 arrives amid supply disruptions, evolving carbon policies and tariff tensions that continue to reshape the copper, aluminium and zinc markets.

Teck Resources has again reduced its copper output forecasts through 2028 as production challenges persist at its Quebrada Blanca mine in Chile, reflecting a broader slowdown across the global copper industry. The company’s revised targets underline tightening supply conditions for the red metal.

Abu Dhabi’s IRH Trading is accelerating its copper trading expansion, targeting 1 million tonnes per year by 2030. Backed by strategic mining assets in Africa and sovereign capital, the company aims to strengthen its global presence in metals trading while fostering long-term partnerships.

After a consultation period, Fastmarkets will clarify and amend some of the specifications for MB-ZN-0005 Zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-PB-0006 Lead 99.97% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-SN-0011 Tin grade A min 99.85% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, $/tonne; MB-NI-0240 Nickel 4x4 cathode premium, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-NI-0241 Nickel briquette premium, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb; and the corresponding all-in prices for all of these, including the quality, unit and location.

Fastmarkets will discontinue its assessment of the MB-CU-0410 copper rod premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents per lb, from November 6. After a consultation period, which ended on Wednesday October 8, Fastmarkets will discontinue the premium due to low market liquidity and a lack of demand. Fastmarkets received only neutral or indifferent feedback during the consultation […]

Chinese cobalt refiners are preparing to use cobalt metal as feedstock for sulfate and tetroxide production, as tightening supply and price rallies on cobalt hydroxide from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have made smelters look for alternatives, market sources told Fastmarkets.

Fastmarkets proposes to include additional EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) costs in its benchmark aluminium P1020A premium fca dp premium assessments for Italy (MB-AL-0316), and Spain (MB-AL-0319) from January 1, 2026, when the definitive period of the EU’s CBAM is set to begin. The MB-AL-0316 aluminium P1020A premium fca dp Italy and MB-AL-0319 aluminium P1020A premium fca dp […]

LME zinc stocks have fallen to their lowest levels since April 2023 but traders suggest the withdrawals are driven more by warehouse activity and speculation than genuine demand. Meanwhile, Europe’s sluggish consumption contrasts with swelling inventories in China.

Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-CU-0287 copper concentrates TC index, cif Asia Pacific, which was published incorrectly on Friday September 26 due to an error in the approval process. The rationale for MB-CU-0287 copper concentrates TC index, cif Asia Pacific, had erroneously stated that a bid had been reported in negative territory at around the […]

Fastmarkets proposes to clarify and amend some of the specifications for MB-ZN-0005 Zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-PB-0006 Lead 99.97% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb; MB-SN-0011 Tin grade A min 99.85% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, $/tonne; MB-NI-0240 Nickel 4x4 cathode premium, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb; and the corresponding all-in prices for all of these including the quality, unit and location.