IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from January 28

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Tuesday January 28 that are worth another look.

A strong rise in Chinese steel production led the way to a 3.4% year-on-year increase in global crude steel output in 2019, according to the World Steel Association.

Aluminium premiums in Europe continued to buck the general trend in the week ended January 28, rising further while premiums in Asia and the United States were static.

Mexican steel scrap prices changed little in the week ended Friday January 24, with market participants waiting to see a clearer definition of the international price trend.

Chilean copper content in mine production is estimated to reach 7.04 million tonnes in 2030, rising by 19.7% from 5.88 million tonnes expected in 2019, the country’s copper commission Cochilco announced.

Demand for seaborne iron ore concentrate weakened ahead of a week-long public holiday in China for the Chinese New Year with mills in the country likely to have built up their inventories well in advance, while that for pellets was stronger due to last-minute restocking.

What to read next
Half a million tonnes of copper is sitting in US warehouses, and the traders who put it there are starting to wonder whether they’ve built a hedge, or a trap.
European automotive procurement faces growing complexity due to regional cost volatility and policy-driven supply chains reshaping material pricing and sourcing strategies. This demands granular, region-specific market intelligence for precise cost modeling and strategic decision-making.
The assessment, which currently follows the UK holiday calendar, will follow the Singapore holiday calendar after the proposed change. There will be no change to the publication timing, and the assessment will continue to be published weekly on Wednesdays, at 7pm Singapore time. The purpose of the adjustment is to align the timing to the […]
JX Advanced Metals, Mitsui Kinzoku, Marubeni and Mitsubishi Materials(MMC) inked a deal to integrate MMC's copper concentrate procurement and related products sales business into Pan Pacific Copper (PPC), marking a significant consolidation of Japan's copper concentrate purchasing sector amid persistent pressure from weak treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs).
The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessments of the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, and the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, cif Shanghai for Tuesday May 26 were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were affected:MB-NI-0143 Nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, […]
Copper producers, including Atlas Mining, reported higher earnings in the first quarter of 2026 on the back of elevated copper prices, while concentrate output declined at several operations in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and the Philippines due to lower ore grades and disruptions, according to company results reviewed by Fastmarkets.