The new London Metal Exchange cash-settled alumina contract will help the exchange to retain its top spot as the global reference for the aluminium industry, according to LME business development analyst Antonio Masiero.

The seaborne iron ore market was quiet at the start of the week, although news of output cuts at mills in a key steel production region in north China, shook market confidence.

Prices for commonly available mainstream brands of Australian hard coking coal into China remained under pressure on Tuesday January 20.

The news was coming in thick and fast as August drew to a close. Metal Bulletin's Deputy Editor Fleur Ritzema highlights some of the key stories from the past week.

Guinea’s mining minister Lamina Fofana has refuted press claims that a $25-million deal signed by members of the government could gift billions of dollars of mining assets to investment company Palladino Capital.

The refined tin market, worth around $7.5 billion per year, could be in a position to benefit from a glut of technological applications over the next decade.

The US aluminium premium rose to its highest level since May 2015 on Tuesday January 23, and was the main catalyst for another week of bullish sentiment in aluminium globally.

Guinea’s mining minister Lamina Fofana has refuted press claims that a $25-million deal signed by members of the government could gift billions of dollars of mining assets to investment company Palladino Capital.

Iron ore prices are weakening fast, with offer at $100 per tonne for 63.5% Fe content now failing to find buyers as high inventories and falling Chinese steel prices damage sentiment.

Soaring prices and rising demand for metals ensured high spirits in Cape Town last week as delegates gathered for the 2011 Investing in African Mining Indaba