Lithium glut, EV subsidy cuts take toll on major producers

Zinc fundamentals in China look promising according to a new report sourced by Intierra.

Bloomberg reported bleak news from a leading Asian analyst who says there is no doubt that China's economy is already landing hard.

China's annual gold production continues to grow comfortably maintaining its position as the world's biggest gold miner assuming official statistics tell the full picture - which they may not!

Hope for the beleaguered iron ore sector has come in the form of higher prices and signs that steel demand is picking up in China, Reuters reports.

The U.S., Japan and the European Union have filed an official complaint at the World Trade Organization this morning, urging the body to take actions against China’s restrictions on these metals. President Obama warned China that it would not be allowed to gain a competitive advantage in world trade by "skirting the rules."

MarketWatch quotes  Nomura economist Zhiwei Zhang as saying:  "Overall, economic conditions are getting weaker at a fast pace. The slowdown is happening faster than the government expected."

Molycorp's mould-breaking deal with Neo Material Technologies sent its shares rocketing in New York on Friday and some industry observers say the tie-up creates a vertically integrated company that will transform the industry. Others see REE prices continuing to drop with some already down 70% and China's grip on the market undiminished – exports could double this year and domestic production continues to ramp up.

Molycorp and Neo Material Technologies Thursday announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Molycorp will acquire Neo Materials for approximately CDN $1.3 billion. This will create one of the most technologically advanced, vertically integrated rare earth companies in the world.

China, the world’s largest supplier of rare earth, may almost double exports this year, meeting quotas set by the government as lower prices continue to stimulate demand.