MINING.COM Staff Writer

Demand recovery is expected in mid or late-March, according to some market participants.

Higher prices and more government support will be needed to ease the next copper shortfall, according to the bank.

"The demand is bad but the outlook is good."

Aluminum stocks in LME-registered warehouses have risen to 602,150 tonnes from 375,950 tonnes in mid-January.

Critical knowledge and skills are being lost while the demand for metals and minerals surges.

"The profits of steel mills have not improved," Huatai Futures analysts said.

Meanwhile, New York Federal Reserve President said that monetary policy will need to be restrictive of growth for a few years.

The dollar eased after Fed chair failed to offer fresh signs of a hawkish push-back against a resilient labor market in the US.

With Keliber, Sibanye-Stillwater seeks a foothold in the European battery metals market.