Final decision on open consultation on methodology review for non-ferrous materials, industrial minerals

Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its non-ferrous materials and industrial minerals prices, via an open consultation process between January 6 and February 6. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.

No feedback was received about a methodology change during the consultation period and therefore no changes will be made to the methodologies at this stage.

An inquiry was made about the potential launch of two new industrial mineral prices, and this is being followed up.

This consultation sought to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical markets in base metals, minor metals, ores & alloys, rare earths and industrial minerals, in compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles for Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs). This includes all elements of our pricing process, our price specifications and publication frequency.

There is an ongoing consultation about the launch of two antimony metal cif Rotterdam/Antwerp price assessments, which can be found here.

View the Non-ferrous Metals methodology here: Metals: Non-ferrous metals – Fastmarkets

View the Rare Earths methodology here: Metals: Rare earths – Fastmarkets

View the Chrome Ore Index methodology here: Metals: Chrome Ore Index – Fastmarkets

View the Industrial Minerals methodology here: Metals: Industrial minerals – Fastmarkets

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to the Fastmarkets methodology page.

What to read next
The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-AS-0001 Arsenic 99% min As, in-whs Rotterdam, $/lb, MB-RE-0001 Rhenium APR catalytic grade, in-whs dup Rotterdam, $/kg Re, MB-RE-0002 Rhenium metal pellets 99.9% Re min, in-whs dup, Rotterdam $/lb and MB-HF-0001 Hafnium, max 1% Zr, in-whs global locations, $/kg assessments was incorrectly published because of a reporter error.
Fastmarkets is proposing to change the price formation process of 26 global tube and pipe prices to calculations from assessments, effective September 9, 2026.
The transition of the iron ore market to a 61% Fe pricing benchmark is reshaping trading dynamics and leading participants across the value chain to reassess grade preferences, emerging demand centers and the growing importance of product quality in a decarbonizing steel sector, according to panelists speaking at the panel discussion “The benchmark transition ​and its implication from different voices​” at Iron Ore Decoded 2026, a conference co-organized by Fastmarkets and Horizon Insights.​
The publication of Fastmarkets' spot CIF CJK assessments for lithium carbonate min 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade; lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade; and battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate, midpoint transitional spread for Thursday July 2 was delayed because of reporter error. Fastmarkets' pricing database has been updated.
Iron ore market participants said Simandou’s production ramp-up remains on track to meet market expectations, with growing exports from Guinea expected to influence freight markets, high-grade ore pricing and steel decarbonization strategies.
For most of the last decade, Alcoa has been shrinking itself into a better company. It sold assets, shut high-cost operations, repaired its balance sheet and preached capital discipline.