IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from March 2

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday March 2 that are worth another look.

March 3, 2020

By Generic people page

Base metals Copper

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) has issued 1,615 force majeure certificates to businesses in China affected by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) outbreak.

The price of European aluminium ingot 226 continued to climb on Friday February 28 due to strong domestic demand amid concerns that the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Italy could hamper production in the region, leaving a tight market with inadequate supply.

Global ferrous scrap prices edged up (apart from in Turkey) in the week to February 28, mainly due to a rise in freight rates, with many market participants reporting weak trading activity.

Cesco Santiago, one of the biggest annual events for the copper industry, has been canceled, organizers confirmed to Fastmarkets.

Ferro-vanadium prices were under pressure over the latest assessment period amid weak consumer demand both in China and Europe, while the European vanadium pentoxide price edged up in Europe amid tight prompt availability.

What to read next

Copper smelter close up

Kamoa-Kakula Q1 copper concentrate output falls 54% year on year, Ivanhoe weighs third-party purchases

Copper in concentrate production from Ivanhoe Mines' Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fell to 61,906 tonnes in the first quarter, down by 54% from 133,120 tonnes a year earlier, with the company now evaluating local third-party concentrate purchases to advance the ramp-up of its on-site smelter, according to an April 13 production release as the market focused its attention on the impact of global sulfuric acid shortages during CESCO Week in Chile from April 13-17.

April 20, 2026

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By Julienne Raboca

CESCO Week 2026

10 things in focus at CESCO Week 2026 as sulfuric acid upends the copper market

China's planned sulfuric acid export ban from May 1, historic lows for copper concentrates treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) and a fragmenting 2026 benchmark system dominated CESCO Week 2026 in Santiago from April 13-17.

April 17, 2026

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By Julienne Raboca

Fastmarkets proposes changes to Asia copper concentrates index weighting, seeks feedback on normalization of gold and silver

The proposal would align the index more closely with physically traded volumes in the region, and enable it to adjust to evolving market conditions. This proposal follows an observed widening of the spread between trader and smelter purchase components of the index and is aligned with a majority of market feedback. Additionally, Fastmarkets seeks feedback […]

April 8, 2026

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By Fastmarkets pricing team

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