IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 key stories from November 1

Here are five Fastmarkets MB stories you might have missed on Friday November 1 that are worth another look.

November 4, 2019

By Generic people page

Base metals Copper

Chinese steel exporters are bracing for a tough year end and an equally challenging 2020, even as the trade war between China and the United States mellows after a truce reached in early October.

Copper concentrate treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) rebounded slightly amid a lack of spot deals while annual contract negotiations kicked off during the annual London Metal Exchange Week gathering this week.

World silico-manganese supply jumped 23% year on year in September to reach 1.67 million tonnes, according to the latest research from the International Manganese Institute (IMnI).

Spot prices for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China narrowed downward this past week while those for lithium hydroxide gained some stability.

Tsingshan Group has kept its ferro-chrome tender price for November delivery unchanged at a time when upstream chrome ore prices have been under pressure.

What to read next

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

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