China's rebar prices moved up on Wednesday April 3 in both its domestic and export markets in response to heightened expectations of a drop in iron ore supply upstream.Domestic Eastern China (Shanghai): 3,900-3,950 yuan ($580-588) per tonne, up 50 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Beijing): 3,900-3,940 yuan per tonne, up 40 yuan per tonneFerrous futures, including the rebar contract, rose across the b...Read More

Import prices for stainless steel in East Asia softened slightly over the past week due to weak regional demand, despite the recovery in the London Metal Exchange nickel price.Fastmarkets' weekly import price assessment for benchmark-304 stainless 2mm trimmed cold-rolled coil (CRC) in East Asia was $2,030-2,110 per tonne cif on Wednesday April 3, down by $10-20 per tonne from a week earlier.Fastma...Read More

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were predominantly higher during morning trading on Wednesday April 3, improving on continued progress emanating from recent US-Chinese trade talks while persistent strength in the US dollar fails to deter buying momentum. Nickel's three-month price is now trading comfortable above $13,300 per tonne amid a continued drawdown in the LME's dwindling st...Read More

Global aluminium markets took divergent paths in the week ended Tuesday April 2, with premiums in the Dutch port of Rotterdam and Asia edging upward after gaining support from wide contangoes in London Metal Exchange aluminium price spreads and tightening spot supply of refined metal in Asia.Premiums were largely weaker elsewhere, with those in the United States dropping to an 11-week low. Rotterd...Read More

Trade log for cobalt sulfate in China including transactions, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets MB. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are yuan per tonne on an ex-works basis.The cobalt sulfate, Co 20.5% min, China ex-works, adjustment to the low-grade cobalt low-end price at Co 20.5% basis is on a $ per lb basis.Fastmarkets MB prices Click here for Fastmarket MB's price assessment for coba...Read More

Key data from the pricing session in London on Wednesday April 3.Key drivers- Traders continue to restock after prices stabilized two weeks ago; consumers start to buy after months of reducing their positions and working through high-priced stock.- Sellers successfully raise offer...Read More

An overview of the minor metals markets and the reasons for any price moves.Read More

The following Fastmarkets minor metals prices changed on Wednesday April 3:Antimony MB free market regulus, $/tonne: $7,100-7,450 per tonne from $7,200-7,500Antimony MB Chinese free market MMTA standard grade II, yuan/tonne: 43,500-45,000 yuan per tonne from 44,000-45,000 yuanCobalt MB free market alloy grade, $/lb: $14.90-16.35 per lb...Read More

U.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 17 points in pre-opening trade. Index futures were responding to news that a trade agreement between China and the U.S. is "90% complete". The Shanghai Composite Index added another 1.24% to 3216.30.Index futures were virtually unchanged following release of the March ADP Private Employment report released at 8:15 AM E...Read More

A summary of Jiangxi Copper's production results for the year ended December 31, 2018.What follows is a year-on-year percentage change from 2017.Copper...Read More

Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were firmer during morning trading on Wednesday April 2, up by an average of 0.4% - further evidence of a recovery in China's economy seems to be providing support.Nickel once again led the way with a 0.7% rise on Wednesday, with the metal's three-month price recently quoted at $13,255 per tonne, up from Tuesday's close at $13,165 per ton...Read More

Key data from the Wednesday April 3 pricing session in Europe. Key drivers  The European ferro-titanium market was unchanged for the second consecutive week, cementing gains made in a price rally through March.  There has been regular consumer demand for prompt shipment, with more buying inquiries emerging for second-quarter deliveries from consumers.  Some sources reckoned that the...Read More

After working 25, 30, 35 years, or longer, you might think that retirement will be a like a permanent vacation where you sit back with your feet up and watch the world whiz by. But it's not. Retiring is a life changer, it can be a shock to your system, and it's not all fun. In fact, it may actually be the toughest job you've ever had. That's because one of the biggest challenges you'll face for th...Read More

Have you received your tax refund yet?Chances are good that if you were owed a refund, your return has been delayed. The government shutdown caused the IRS to furlough workers during some of the most important weeks for processing tax returns. And it’s taking the agency time to catch up.So even if you were responsible and filed your tax return well ahead of the crowd, you may still be waitin...Read More

The following Fastmarkets UK non-ferrous scrap and foundry ingot prices changed on Wednesday April 3:Aluminium scrapCommercial pure cuttings: ?960-1,000 per tonne...Read More

When the first humans settle on Mars, what if their homes were not built but printed?That's the question being posed in the latest NASA Centennial Challenge, pitting teams from industry and academia to design and 3D-print habitats using materials that can be found on the Martian surface."The great thing about 3D printing is trying to make it as autonomous as possible," said Grant McHargue, a senio...Read More

A Colorado School of Mines graduate student got an unique inside look at the World Economic Forum as a member of the team that produced the global organization's 2019 report on the energy transition. Steve Dahlke, a PhD candidate in the Mineral and Energy Economics program and a Payne Institute Research Fellow, was among the core team that produced "Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2019," wh...Read More

Gold exploration and mine development remain leading drivers of mining activity around the world by Canadian-based gold companies. Here is a look at eight junior and senior companies with significant gold developments in 2019.ALAMOS GOLDAlamos Gold (TSX: AGI; NYSE: AGI) is a Toronto-headquartered intermediate gold producer with four operating mines in North America: the Young-Davidson and Island G...Read More

The following is an edited Investment Update from the World Gold Council. For the full report, visit www.gold.org.The latest U.S. Federal Reserve Open Markets Committee meeting on March 20 confirmed market expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will remain on hold for the rest of the year. This, in turn, will likely influence gold's performance. Our historical analysis shows that when the Fed...Read More

American Lithium (TSXV: LI; US-OTC: LIACF) has confirmed lithium mineralization at its TLC claystone project near Tonopah, Nev., during its ongoing 18-hole, 1,600-metre drill program.The company cut 1,08 parts per million (ppm) lithium over 36.4 metres from 27 metres downhole; 994 ppm lithium over 42.7 metres from 41 metres downhole; and 934 ppm lithium over 44 metres from 24 metres downhole. All...Read More