The Democratic Republic of Congo has introduced cobalt export quotas following the suspension period, setting limits on shipments while outlining future allocations. The policy is designed to balance global supply and demand while supporting the country’s ambition to develop domestic processing capacity.

Europe’s battery industry is being urged to prioritise energy storage systems over electric vehicle competition with China, as rising AI-driven power demand and grid pressures highlight the need for scalable storage solutions.

The Mexican aluminium industry is navigating trade challenges as it seeks closer alignment with the US while reducing dependence on China, amid rising scrap prices, proposed tariffs and ongoing pricing uncertainty.

Copper demand in data centers is accelerating as artificial intelligence drives higher power needs, advanced cooling systems and greater infrastructure requirements. This trend highlights both the opportunities and challenges around sustainability, domestic production and global supply chains.

The US is launching its first Strategic Minerals Reserve at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada, designed as a platform for storage, refining and recycling to strengthen supply chain security.

The DRC cobalt export ban has continued to reduce China’s cobalt intermediate imports in July 2025, driving tighter supply and higher prices. Meanwhile, Chinese cobalt metal exports remained stable despite ongoing market disruptions.

New steelmakers in Southeast Asia are embracing hydrogen-based DRI, electric arc furnaces and renewable energy to advance green steel production and counter oversupply pressures, reshaping both market competition and raw material demand.

The SGX 65% Fe iron ore futures contract reached record trading volumes as Chinese steelmakers sought high-grade ores amid tighter production restrictions. This surge underscores the growing role of premium-grade iron ore derivatives in global steel and raw materials markets.

Chile’s energy transition is reshaping its mining sector, renewable energy mix, and climate strategy, with lithium and copper production at the centre of global supply chains. Policy reforms, infrastructure expansion and green technologies are positioning the country as a leader in sustainable energy development.

Steel prices in the US would be weaker if not artificially propped up by trade tariff pressures as underlying demand is depressed, several market participants told Fastmarkets on Friday August 8.