Base metals

Enabling large-scale expansion of solar power production capacity is a crucial part of the transition to a sustainable future for energy, but its prospects of growth rest on the current and future availability of key minerals and metals.

Copper prices have rocketed over the past year, but Myra Pinkham asks market analysts whether present drivers will continue to support them in the longer term.

With long steel prices in Europe reaching historically high levels, construction activity is slowing in some regions due to reduced supplies and delays, with some market sources fearing a decline in industrial activity long term.

Metals continue to languish in high ground during morning trading on Monday June 14, with tin being the exception as it continues to push higher on strong fundamentals due to supply disruptions.

LME base metals have looked tired, having lost their upward momentum in the past few days, but underlying support looks plentiful, with all the base metals on the SHFE being in positive territory this morning, Wednesday June 9.

Bullish sentiment about nickel demand, particularly for electric vehicles, compared with long timeframes needed to increase mine supplies, has driven prices higher. But continuing uncertainties about the future timing and extent of nickel demand and supply growth have created a volatile market, reports Gregory DL Morris.