Fastmarkets explores the logistical challenges facing South African ore exports, from the perspective of chrome and manganese markets

Supply challenges persist to meet rising rare earths demand, reports Davide Ghilotti

From January 2023, Fastmarkets proposes to no longer roll over its price assessments for minor metals, ores, alloys or industrial minerals when these are scheduled to be made on days that fall on public holidays in the country in which the price is assessed, or in which a price is based.

Spot prices for spodumene concentrate continued to post sharp gains over the past fortnight due to tight supply combined with continuously improving demand for downstream lithium chemicals amid booming electric vehicle demand worldwide

This will take Northern Graphite from being a junior miner to a producer, although they will enter a relatively tight market

Chinese battery makers are expected to consider increasing the proportion of natural graphite feedstock they use in anode material because of the fast-rising cost profile and availability issues affecting supplies of synthetic graphite

The latest merger of rare earth producers in China shows that balance of power in this critical material sector is nowhere near where western governments would like it to be

The battery-grade seaborne Asian lithium carbonate market continued to post gains over the week on Thursday May 6 amid tight spot availability.

View the Fastmarkets holiday pricing schedule for 2021-2022.

A reminder of Fastmarkets’ cobalt pricing schedule during the Christmas and New Year period.