Technology entrepreneur Elon Musk once described the ongoing use of fossil fuels and their generation of a vast carbon footprint as “the dumbest experiment in human history.”

Customs officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have backtracked on a decree made just 24 hours earlier and re-approved the export of copper concentrate and cobalt from the country.

Copper's price is trading at all-time highs - and now the countries where it is mined the most want a piece of the action.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed during the morning of Thursday May 27, as were broader markets – are these pauses, or early signs of a stall?

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were mainly positive on the morning of Tuesday May 25, with only SHFE lead showing significant weakness.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mainly stronger this morning, Thursday May 20, on dip buying, while those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were down across the board in reaction to the 3.5% average loss on the LME on Wednesday.

London Metal Exchange three-month copper futures hit $10,720 per tonne in May amid disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic and political tensions affecting material supply from mines.

The United States plans to “make up for lost time” in the battle against climate change by developing new technologies and investing in the products that will drive the transition to a global, low-carbon economy, according to the country’s Treasury chief, Janet Yellen.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were up across the board this morning, Tuesday May 18, and once again recent dips have been short-lived and not that deep, suggesting sentiment remains robust.

Base metals prices on both the LME and SHFE were mainly weaker this morning, Friday May 14, and seem to have got some downward momentum, even though broader markets have seen a buy-the-dip mentality emerge.