President Donald Trump’s long-promised series of day-one executive orders imply a seismic shift in the approach of the United States to the environment, critical minerals and energy.

European imports of pipeline natural gas from Russia via Ukraine have ended, putting the region’s metals smelters and refineries on alert for potential hikes in operational costs.

Prices of gold and silver have surged so far in 2024, leading to more popularity for copper, zinc and lead concentrate containing higher levels of these precious metal to profit from the rising value of the byproduct, Fastmarkets has learned.

Fastmarkets will adhere to its regular US price publishing schedule on Thursday January 9, despite amendments to New York Stock Exchange and Chicago Mercantile Exchange trading hours on that date in observance of the passing of former US President James Carter.

The weaponization of critical minerals supplies due to trade tensions could lead to the kind of emergency that would provide the push that the US needs to develop its metals and mining sector, the chief executive officer of Alaska Energy Metals has said.

Fastmarkets has amended the name of MB-AL-0231 Aluminium P1020A all-in price, delivered Midwest US, US cents/lb as of Wednesday July 17.

Africa’s first transcontinental rail network, known as the Lobito Corridor, which aims to eventually connect almost the entire regional copper-cobalt belt with additional links across sub-Saharan Africa, is on track to break ground early in 2026, a senior official at the US Department of State told Fastmarkets.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ price assessments for MB-SN-0011 tin Grade A min 99.85% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, $/tonne; MB-SN-0036 tin 99.85% ingot premium, in-whs Baltimore, $/tonne; and MB-ZN-0005 zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb for Tuesday December 10 was delayed due to an editor error.