The bizarre case highlights commodity traders’ vulnerability to fraud, even when security and inspection controls are in place.

Shares of major miners also fell in London trading, with BHP down 2.4%, Rio Tinto down 3.6%, Glencore -2.44%, and Antofagasta -1.25%.

Overall, the picture that emerges from the commodity import data is that China is at best ticking along.

Cobalt and lithium have jumped back to life in 2021, with prices rallying hard in January and February.

Surging copper shipments helped boost overall exports 41% to $7.071 billion in February.

Andean nation expects to hit a record copper output of 2.5 million tonnes in 2021.

Nornickel could loose 4-5% of its 2021 output if the two mines are suspended for one month.

First production at the copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo targeted for July.