EUROPEAN MORNING BRIEF 25/04: Global copper premiums largely stable; falling aluminium prices curb alumina gains; new permitting issue at Freeport's Indonesian unit

By Susan Zou / April 25, 2018 / www.metalbulletin.com / Article Link

Good morning from Metal Bulletin's offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Wednesday April 25.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were broadly higher during Asian morning trading on Wednesday April 25, after buying sentiment in China picked up following comments from the country's central government which suggested a degree of flexibility in its monetary tightening policy.

Check Metal Bulletin's live futures report here.

LME snapshot at 03.30am London time
Latest three-month LME Prices
 Price ($ per tonne)Change since yesterday's close ($)
Copper6,977-36
Aluminium2,202-25
Lead2,32717
Zinc3,223.5011.5
Tin21,075-25
Nickel14,130145



SHFE snapshot at 10.32am Shanghai time
Most-traded SHFE contracts
 Price (yuan per tonne)Change since yesterday's close (yuan)
Copper (June)51,650120
Aluminium (June)14,43045
Zinc (June)24,4300
Lead (June)18,310-55
Tin  (July)146,470180
Nickel  (September)103,560230

Copper premiums remained largely stable around the world this past week. While European premiums were supported by strong industrial demand and low scrap availability, little import interest was reported in Shanghai. In the United States, the number of spot deals has started to increase, which could be a sign that the long-awaited rise in premiums might happen soon.

Alumina prices set a fresh multi-year high on Tuesday, consolidating above $700 per tonne with no immediate respite in supply restrictions on the cards.

A new permitting issue has emerged at copper producer Freeport-McMoRan's unit in Indonesia following the introduction of new environmental requirements in April, the United States-based firm said on Tuesday.

Emirates Global Aluminium has completed construction of the calcination process facility at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi, and is expected to produce its first alumina in the first half of 2019.

Recent News

Mixed outlook for gold as it remains range bound for past three months

June 30, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks down on flat metal price

June 30, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Gold stocks down on metal decline

June 23, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Huge quantifiable rise in geopolitical, economic and trade risks

June 23, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com

Platinum clearly ahead of palladium for first time in seven years

June 16, 2025 / www.canadianminingreport.com
See all >
Share to Youtube Share to Facebook Facebook Share to Linkedin Share to Twitter Twitter Share to Tiktok