February 7, 2022

Rare earth prices set to keep on the boil after sharp rally

China's industry ministry met automakers and battery companies last month to discuss surging prices.

February 7, 2022

MMG to halt Las Bambas copper mine amid fresh blockade

MMG said production is expected to cease by February 20 if the roadblock is not removed.

February 6, 2022

China, Argentina deepening ties beyond mining

China will provide Argentina with more than $23 billion in financing for infrastructure projects and the Belt and Road initiative.

February 4, 2022

Zijin Mining to invest $380m in Argentina lithium plant

The plant will be located in the Tres Quebradas project, in the northern province of Catamarca.

February 3, 2022

China built Congo a toll road that led straight to the ruling family

The Kabilas’ involvement in the toll road came to light through the biggest leak ever of financial documents from Africa.

February 3, 2022

China’s metals imports boomed in 2021, so did its exports

Such divergence is highly unusual but reflects the equally unusual combination of pandemic recovery and supply-side constraints, writes Andy Home.

February 3, 2022

Global copper smelting surges in January, satellite data shows

The number of inactive smelters fell to the lowest level since February 2018.

February 1, 2022

Analysts expect scorching base metals rally to cool

Market balances are expected to shift from supply deficit towards surplus in 2023 as production recovers and demand cools, Andy Home says.

January 31, 2022

This chart says industrial metals prices have far to fall

Unless there’s been a major decoupling of copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum prices and Chinese manufacturing activity, declines of as much as 40% may be in the offing.

January 31, 2022

It’s not all one-way traffic for China’s EV makers

Persistent hikes in raw material costs have been weighing on automakers for a while now.