Market growth and decarbonization collide to create an unclear future for steelmaking

China's “unpredictable political moves” in relation to coking coal from Australia has driven some Chinese steel mills to increase their contractual supplies of the steelmaking raw material from elsewhere, sources told Fastmarkets this week.

For a fourth trading day in a row, copper’s three-month price on the London metal Exchange rose to a new year-to-date high on Tuesday February 23, while the rest of the base metals traded slightly lower than where they were on Monday, when they all reached fresh 2021 highs.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed, although copper prices on both exchanges remain strong this morning, Tuesday February 23, while tightness on the LME dominates.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were up significantly across the board this morning, Monday February 22, with all base metals on the LME setting fresh multi- month or year highs.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were for the most part firmer this morning, Friday February 19, on the back of expectations for stronger demand from a widespread recovery and due to the underlying momentum.

China’s metals industry returned from holiday to find metal prices were higher and it would appear have chased prices higher, with all the base metals on the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange showing gains this morning, Thursday February 18.

The board of Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) has approved the company’s investment in the Mount Holland lithium project in Western Australia, it said on Wednesday February 17.

Recovery hopes tied into the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines and some brighter economic data has driven up bond yields that in turn has lifted the dollar, and that seems to be creating some hesitancy in the metals this morning, Wednesday February 17.

After reviewing the initial feedback on its proposal to launch a weekly price assessment for ferro-niobium, delivered consumer works Europe, duty paid, Fastmarkets MB is extending the consultation period by two weeks.