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

Cobalt up close as mineral

Trafigura, Mercuria receive copper, cobalt from DRC’s artisanal supplier

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.

February 12, 2026

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By Sofia Okun

Storm clouds over Penang, Malaysia

What does Malaysia’s complete ban on e-waste imports mean for battery, aluminium, copper recyclers?

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.

February 11, 2026

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By Tianran Zhao

A furnace operator responsible for managing, monitoring, and controlling furnaces in manufacturing, smelting, and refining processes.

What the Rio Tinto-Glencore breakup really tells us: Hotter Commodities

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

February 10, 2026

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By Andrea Hotter

Proposal to amend frequency of US delivered tin price: pricing notice

Fastmarkets selects the frequency of publication of a market assessment after considering the number of data points (deals, bids, offers, deals heard and assessments) that it can reasonably expect to collect on a consistent basis over the selected period to support the price assessment process. This proposal follows preliminary discussions with the market as well […]

February 9, 2026

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By Fastmarkets pricing team

Delayed publication of European aluminium billet premiums, inferred prices: pricing notice

The publication of Fastmarkets’ European aluminium billet premiums assessments for Friday February 6 was delayed because of a procedural error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

February 6, 2026

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By Fastmarkets pricing team

Glencore offices in Switzerland. Credit: David Taljat / Getty Images Plus

Rio Tinto-Glencore merger collapse triggers 8.9% drop in Glencore shares

Glencore’s share price fell sharply on Thursday February 5 after Rio Tinto confirmed it was no longer pursuing a potential merger, ending weeks of speculation about a combination that would have created one of the world’s largest mining companies.

February 6, 2026

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By Julienne Raboca