The global markets for containerized freight have entered even deeper water in recent weeks, with closures at the key port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in China leading to worsening cargo delays, port congestion and a further cutback in free days.

Shanghai-listed Hainan Mining says it will invest no more than 1.065 billion yuan ($164 million) for the construction of a 20,000-tonnes-per-year battery-grade lithium hydroxide plant in Dongfang Lingang Industrial Park in China’s Hainan province.

As the world's media spotlight falls on Afghanistan, Fastmarkets looks at why reported claims of incoming Chinese mining deals are unlikely to be fulfilled soon.

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday August 23 that are worth another look.

Key data from Fastmarkets’ pricing sessions in Europe, China and the United States on Friday August 20.

China's largest privately owned copper smelter, Dongying Fangyuan, has filed for bankruptcy, kicking off a debt-restructuring process, multiple sources claimed to Fastmarkets.

Many Chinese alumina buyers are currently steering clear of purchasing seaborne alumina due to persistent congestion at several Chinese ports, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday August 19.

Lithium prices in China rallied further in the week to Thursday August 19, with optimism over demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries continuing to boost sentiment.

Chinese government policies are not always written down or announced, and some are announced very late. These unwritten rules are having a major impact on costs along the steel supply chain, with automakers, in particular, feeling the squeeze. Many of these policies have a green tinge, such as the recent ban on Australian coking coal.

Fastmarkets today launches two daily indices for cfr China ferrous scrap prices, reported on a US-dollar-per-tonne basis.