Global energy storage installation expected to be 20 times larger within a decade

For years, such enterprises have survived on bank loans and local government backing, robbing more deserving companies of financial resources that could have otherwise contributed to local growth.

The steel and alumina contracts have the best chance of succeeding, according to analysts, traders and other industry sources.

The drop in futures mirrored weakness that has prevailed in the physical market since last week, as steel mills reduced output to comply with anti-smog measures.

President Donald Trump took a victory lap on Twitter Friday, saying aluminum prices are down about 12% since his tariffs were implemented.

Physical gold demand picked up pace in major Asian hubs this week, with bullion being sold at a premium for the first time in more than three months in India.

The world’s No.3 producer of the metal used in electric vehicle batteries said the candidates will be “fair” and “responsible toward shareholders”.

Smelter expansions have increased demand and competition for copper concentrate in China with imports nearing 2m tonnes in February.

Research by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) projected that tin could be the metal with the most to gain.

The level 1 alert, the highest in China's four-tier pollution warning system, has been in place since March 1 and requires steel mills to curb output by 40%-70%.