Chinese copper tycoon goes missing, believed to be detained by police

Under the Sicomines deal, Chinese investors committed to spending $3 billion on infrastructure, but the state auditor demanded that commitment be increased to $20 billion.

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

Zinc's early-year rally has quickly fizzled out as the market prices in a looming supply surge.

Chinese lithium customers are not slowing orders and the country's stockpiles of cathodes and battery parts are decreasing.

A pick-up in property-related steel demand from China would underpin higher manganese prices in coming months, CEO Graham Kerr said.

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

The drop below key levels reflects bearish sentiment as China’s economic recovery hasn’t been as strong as expected.

Demand for lithium batteries in the United States is expected to grow more than six times.

Wesfarmers said the start of its lithium refinery has been pushed back to the first half of 2025.