This year’s annual benchmark treatment charges (TCs) for zinc and lead concentrates are expected to rise due to high supply and the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China and beyond affecting the raw materials market.

The London Metal Exchange three-month zinc price was the standout performer during morning trading on Monday October 19, with the price rallying by more than 2% on positive Chinese economic data and strong buying momentum, while queue and logistics concerns at Port Klang, Malaysia, resulted in some 38,000 tonnes of aluminium being placed back on-warrant in the region.

The three-month zinc price on the London Metal Exchange was down during morning trading on Monday August 3, with price action slipping back below the newly-established $2,300-per-tonne support level, while narrower forward spreads helped tin futures retain recent momentum.

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were collectively lower during morning trading on Thursday September 17, with selling pressure emerging after the US Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates low on Wednesday, but offered little in the way of further fiscal stimulus.

The three-month nickel price on the London Metal Exchange was lower during morning trading on Tuesday July 28, with selling pressure emerging during Asian trading hours, while a continued influx of material caused the LME zinc price to drop by 1%.

Fastmarkets has corrected the LME Asian reference prices for January 13, which were published incorrectly on January 14 due to a technical error.

Fastmarkets has corrected the LME Asian reference prices for January 13, which were published incorrectly on January 14 due to a technical error

Fastmarkets incorrectly published weekly assessments for its Southeast Asian zinc premium over the past two months when the price should have been published every two weeks.

Zinc concentrate treatment charges (TCs) are dropping in China with smelters and traders scrambling to cover shortfalls in supply feed left by shuttered mines.

The zinc price seen over the next few months will be the best zinc price for three to five years, a panelist said at Metal Bulletin’s Lead and Zinc conference in London on Thursday March 22.