Get started

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

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Friday March 6 that are worth another look.

March 9, 2020
By Generic people page
Base metals Copper

Most flat steel import prices in South America have remained unchanged in the week ended March 6, in a market lull before the start of negotiations for May shipments, although sellers were indicating that more expensive offers would be presented in the weeks ahead.

The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) has forecast that refined copper usage in 2020-21 will increase year on year by 1.5%, owing in part to sustained economic growth in the United States.

Nickel demand from China is likely to decline more than anticipated because of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, Nornickel said during its earnings call.

The battery-grade lithium carbonate price in China broke its steady streak in the week to Thursday March 5 after producers cut offers to meet cash flow needs, while European and US battery-grade prices fell by over 4% week on week.

Key data from the chrome pricing sessions in Asia, Europe and the United States for the week ending March 6.

What to read next
Fastmarkets decides to amend publication times, holiday pricing schedule for Asian base metals assessments: pricing notice
Fastmarkets consulted the market on the proposed change between April 3 and May 11, 2026. Some feedback was received regarding the publication times of nickel pig iron and laterite ore prices. Fastmarkets will adjust the initially proposed publication times accordingly and proceed with the changes. This decision was first proposed in a methodology note published […]
May 14, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Incorrect publication of Shanghai copper premiums
The price assessments were not affected by the incorrect publication and the correct prices are showing on Dashboard. The price was published at 12.33pm London time instead of the scheduled time of 3-4pm. The following prices were published early:MB-CU-0405 Copper grade A cathode premium, in-whs Shanghai, $ per tonneMB-CU-0383 Copper grade A cathode ER premium, bonded in-whs […]
May 12, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Flag
Europe’s reliance on copper, aluminium imports exposed as security concerns overtake energy transition
On Wednesday May 6, a critical minerals panel at Commodities Trading Week in London said metals markets are shifting from an energy transition-led narrative toward security of supply, leaving Europe particularly exposed because of its reliance on imports.
May 12, 2026
 · 
By Madeline Morgan
Canada unveils C$1.5 bln financing program to support US tariff-hit metals industry
The Canadian government announced on Tuesday May 4 a new financing program worth C$1.5 billion ($1.1 billion) to help mitigate the effect of US metals tariffs and support several of Canada’s tariffed industries.
May 11, 2026
 · 
By Rijuta Dey
Fastmarkets clarifies inclusion of government-set benchmark pricing in Indonesia nickel ore assessment
Fastmarkets wishes to clarify that it accepts data submissions in outright price and as a differential to the Mineral Benchmark Price (HPM)-plus-premium for its Indonesian domestic trade nickel ore price assessments. Fastmarkets is also seeking market feedback on recent changes to the Indonesian government’s HPM specifications.
May 8, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Glencore Q1: African copper cathode surges 68%, cobalt production falls 39% y-o-y
Own-sourced copper output from Glencore’s African copper assets — KCC and Mutanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo — surged by 68% year on year to 67,900 tonnes over the same period, while Glencore’s cobalt production fell by 39% year on year amid the DRC’s export quota system.
May 6, 2026
 · 
By Sofia Okun