Since its merger with Xstrata, Glencore - previously a trading and marketing firm - has become a mining firm whose earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is dominated by earnings from its industrial activities. The recent appointment of Peter Freyberg as head of the company’s industrial mining assets, a newly created position with oversight and responsibility for all Glencore industrial mining assets, underscores that.

The minor metals industry is facing turbulent times and increased volatility in all regions, but some things remain constant and there are always new opportunities if you know where to look, says former-chairman of the MMTA Anthony Lipmann.

It was another firmer start for the three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange this morning, Thursday December 13, with all the metals in positive territory and showing average gains of 0.6%.

Good morning from Fastmarkets MB’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Thursday December 13.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed during Asian morning trading on Thursday December 13, with easier trade tensions between China and the United States failing to provide significant upward momentum to the complex.

The latest news and price moves to start the Asian day on Thursday December 13.

State-owned Saudi Arabian steel producer Hadeed Sabic plans to investment in a new product, although the details have yet to be announced, company president Mohammed Al-Zahrani said on Tuesday December 11.

The launch of a high-grade iron ore derivative by the Singapore Exchange last week represents a “leap forward for the [ferrous] industry, particularly those that are exposed to the high-grade product,” according to Andrew Glass, head of iron ore trading at Anglo American.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part firmer this morning, Wednesday December 12, with average gains of 0.3%. This after the complex climbed by an average of 0.4% on Tuesday, which followed Monday’s test of support levels – that held.

Good morning from Fastmarkets MB’s offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday December 12.