Gains in byproduct values are expected to play an increasingly important role in Chinese zinc and lead smelters’ margins in 2026, especially because concentrates availability is likely to tighten, adding further pressure to treatment charges (TCs), the primary income source for metal refiners, industry sources told Fastmarkets in the fortnight ended Friday January 16.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) state-controlled Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) announced its first copper and cobalt shipments to Swiss traders Trafigura and Mercuria on Monday February 9, with Trafigura using the Lobito Corridor to transport commodities.

Latin America containerboard demand holds as GLP‑1 and US nutrition guidelines slow boxboard in 2026—what it means for the packaging market.

When President Trump took office for a second time just over a year ago, he immediately sought to tear up the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a key piece of Joe Biden’s legacy. But plans announced earlier this week, ending on Friday February 6, have reshaped the future for cobalt and critical minerals.

The build-out of the Indian battery and critical mineral supply chain requires an integrated approach in terms of government policy, investment and subsidies and technology, market participants said during the inaugural Fastmarkets India Battery & Critical Minerals conference in New Delhi, India, over February 2-3.

Malaysia implemented an absolute ban on imports of electronic waste (e-waste) to take immediate effect on Wednesday February 4, in an attempt to tighten environmental controls and curb illegal shipments, Fastmarkets understands.

The consultation, which was originally open until February 6, sought to address growing market interest in these prices, to give more visibility into the price formation process and to more closely align these assessments with observed trading patterns. Specifically, Fastmarkets is seeking further feedback on: Extended consultation periodThe extended consultation period for these proposed changes starts […]

For a brief moment, the mining sector allowed itself to consider a bold idea: Rio Tinto and Glencore in merger discussions.

The latest GCC containerboard market trends show slight price declines and muted demand across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with cashflow pressures, rising production costs, and growing local competition shaping January’s performance.

Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Monday February 9, 2026.