IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from December 24

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Tuesday December 24 that are worth another look.

December 25, 2019

By Generic people page

Base metals Copper

The recent downtrend in spot ferro-chrome prices in China was capped by strength in the domestic stainless steel market, while the European and US markets were flat ahead of the Christmas holiday break.

Aluminium premiums in South Korea rose in the week ending Tuesday December 24, while the main Japanese ports (MJP) spot premium was steady following last week’s increase.

Katanga Mining subsidiary Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) will buy land rights from La Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines) covering areas next to KCC’s existing mining concessions.

A Brazilian federal court has removed a major hurdle keeping mining major Vale from acquiring fellow miner Ferrous Resources.

Import prices for steel slab in Southeast Asia and East Asia experienced an uptick over the past week amid rebounding flat steel prices in the region.

What to read next

Steel

Aluminium’s challenge now beyond moving the metal | Hotter Commodities

Until now, aluminium has been hard to move, not hard to find. Global aluminium supply had remained technically intact, even as output was curtailed in parts of the Gulf, inventory buffers were drawn down or repositioned, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was severely disrupted.

April 2, 2026

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By Andrea Hotter

Water, Waterfront, Port

Aluminium in energy crossfire as Hormuz uncertainty drags on

Global aluminium producers face heightened uncertainty over power supplies, with oil and gas prices elevated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, sources told Fastmarkets.

April 1, 2026

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By Madeline Morgan

Pricing Notice

Fastmarkets extends consultation on NCM/NCA black mass methodology, proposes changes to price names

Fastmarkets is extending the consultation period for the methodology of several of its black mass payables indicators and prices, and is also proposing changes to the names of CIF South Korea and EWX Europe black mass prices.

March 27, 2026

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By Fastmarkets pricing team

Rio Tinto targets broader aluminium footprint, division CEO says

Rio Tinto Aluminium is expanding its footprint beyond its historic hydro-powered Canadian base, targeting Europe, Asia and Latin America as part of a deliberate diversification strategy, according to the unit’s chief executive officer.

March 24, 2026

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By Andrea Hotter

Correction to copper concentrates treatment and refinement charges indices on March 20 2026

Fastmarkets has corrected its copper concentrates treatment and refinement charge indices, which were published incorrectly on March 20 2026 due to a technical error.

March 23, 2026

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By Fastmarkets pricing team

Correction to copper concentrates treatment and refinement charges indices on 27 February 2026

Fastmarkets has corrected its copper concentrates treatment and refinement charge indices, which were published incorrectly on February 27 2026 due to a backend calculation error. Fastmarkets has also corrected the indices' rationale and all related inferred indices.

March 20, 2026

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By Fastmarkets pricing team