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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from January 6

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Monday January 6 that are worth another look.

January 7, 2020
By Generic people page
Base metals Copper

The global finished steel market in 2020 is set to be weighed down by a continuation of last year’s weaker end-consumption rates, but there are bright spots coming in the longer term, Fastmarkets analysts forecast.

Fastmarkets copper concentrates treatment and refining charges (TC/RC) index was largely stable week on week due to quiet trading ahead of Lunar New Year on January 25.

Seaborne manganese ore prices in China rose in the week ended Friday January 3 on support from reduced availability of material and improved sentiment after Hebei Steel increased its silico-manganese tender price by more than was expected.

China’s export price for ferro-vanadium was stable for the third consecutive week in the latest assessment period ended Thursday January 2, amid relatively low liquidity in both the domestic and European markets.

UG2 chrome ore producers achieve higher sales prices amid improved sentiment.

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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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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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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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