Metals and mining news and market analysis

China has launched a coordinated crackdown on the illegal export of strategic minerals under export control, such as antimony, gallium, germanium, tungsten and rare earths, the country’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday May 9.

Cobalt Holdings plans to acquire 6,000 tonnes of cobalt. Following their $230M London Stock Exchange listing, this move secures a key cobalt reserve. With the DRC’s export ban affecting prices, the decision reflects shifting industry dynamics

The recent US-China agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs is a major step for global trade, with tariffs on US goods entering China dropping from 125% to 10% and on Chinese goods entering the US decreasing from 145% to 30% starting May 14. While this has boosted markets and created optimism, key industries like autos and steel remain affected, leaving businesses waiting for clearer long-term trade policies.

Fastmarkets proposes to amend the frequency of Taiwan base metals prices from biweekly to monthly, and the delivery timing for the tin 99.99% ingot premium from two weeks to four weeks.

The prices in question are: MB-STE-0100 Steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), export, fob main port UK, $ per tonneMB-STE-0099 Steel scrap shredded, export, fob main port UK, $ per tonneMB-STE-0095 Steel scrap shredded, import, cfr delivered Turkish port, $ per tonneMB-STE-0420 Steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), fob Rotterdam, $ per tonne. Increasing the frequency of assessment of […]

The US-UK trade deal removes tariffs on steel and aluminium while reducing automotive duties, offering relief to British industries and reshaping transatlantic trade dynamics. The agreement also signals broader implications for global trade negotiations, particularly regarding China and excess capacity in metals.