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November 2020
27 November 2020
Brown fused alumina (BFA) and refractory-grade bauxite prices climbed in the latest fortnightly pricing session on Thursday November 26 due to support from environmental regulations in China for the winter months, while the Chinese white fused alumina (WFA) assessment rose by 5% on the low end amid fast-rising container freight rates.
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26 November 2020
Key data from the graphite pricing sessions in Asia and Europe for the week ended Thursday November 26.
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25 November 2020
The recent surge in container freight costs and availability of cargo space continue to disrupt trade flows in minerals and metals, with trading companies finding themselves unable to dodge the soaring shipping rates.
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20 November 2020
South Africa’s producers of non-metallurgical chromite have formed a lobby group to pressure the country’s government on the recently proposed export tax and achieve a different customs regime that will exempt non-metallurgical grades from the levy.
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19 November 2020
The United Kingdom’s new green energy plan could stimulate demand for a range of industrial minerals.
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19 November 2020
Lithium needs a transparent market where demand and supply meet to foster the growth of the sector, attendees heard during the annual Lithium in the South America conference organised by Panorama Minero on Wednesday November 18.
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16 November 2020
Fifteen countries signed up to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Sunday November 15.
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13 November 2020
China’s price for white fused alumina (WFA) moved up during the fortnight to Thursday November 12 amid surging container freight rates, while the markets for brown fused alumina (BFA) and refractory-grade bauxite edged higher on the rising value of the Chinese yuan and the threat of environmental controls on operations in major production hubs.
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12 November 2020
Despite a quicker-than-expected recovery across certain regions following the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and expectations of a stronger recovery overall in 2021, a return to pre-coronavirus levels next year is unlikely, delegates attending Fastmarkets’ International Ferro-alloys Conference heard.
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12 November 2020
Key data from the graphite pricing sessions in Asia and Europe for the week ended Thursday November 12.
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12 November 2020
Fast-rising costs for container freight on a number of major shipping routes are causing disruption in trade flows for minerals and metals alike, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday November 12.
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11 November 2020
Contract negotiations for next year’s supply of calcined alumina volumes were progressing slowly, with both sellers and buyers expecting discussions to continue beyond the end of 2020, sources told Fastmarkets.
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09 November 2020
A new round of environmental regulations in the coming winter season will add to the supply crisis caused by a shortage of bauxite ore and depletion of high-quality resources in Shanxi province, China’s production hub for refractory-grade bauxite, sources have told Fastmarkets.
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06 November 2020
Contracts for the supply of several mineral raw materials for 2021 are expected to be shorter in their duration and cover smaller volumes compared with previous years, while market participants claim negotiations are progressing slowly and with no clear market references.
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05 November 2020
Key data from the graphite pricing sessions in Asia and Europe for the week ended Thursday November 05.
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04 November 2020
A summary of results from France-headquartered minerals producer and processor Imerys for the third quarter of 2020, released on Monday November 2.
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October 2020
30 October 2020
The Chinese brown fused (BFA) and white fused alumina (WFA) markets held firm in the two weeks to Thursday October 29 after previous gains on a stronger Chinese yuan.
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30 October 2020
Chinese provincial authorities are putting plans into operation to control air pollution during the winter months, in accordance with the aims of the Beijing government.
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30 October 2020
A summary of German specialty alumina producer Nabaltec’s results for the third quarter of 2020, released on Tuesday October 27.
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26 October 2020
The lithium market has grown to a stage where it can support a futures contract, especially in the context of significant price moves in recent years and forecasts of further growth, Robin Martin, head of market development at the London Metal Exchange, said during a Fastmarkets conference on Monday October 26.
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26 October 2020
While the initial appetite to hedge exposure to volatile lithium prices came from automakers expanding their electric vehicle (EV) fleets, an appreciation for short-term pricing and risk management tools has since filtered upstream, delegates heard during Fastmarkets’ virtual Lithium Supply & Markets conference on Monday October 26.
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22 October 2020
Chrome market participants have been surprised by the South African government’s proposal to introduce an export tax on chrome ore to support its chrome sector but sought further detail about what it involves and when it would be carried through.
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22 October 2020
Key data from the graphite pricing sessions in Asia and Europe for the week ended Thursday October 22.
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16 October 2020
The market for refractory grade bauxite and brown fused alumina (BFA) ticked up in the past fortnight to Thursday October 15 on a rising yuan after China's Golden Week holiday in early October, while white fused alumina (WFA) held firm after previous upward adjustments.
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13 October 2020
The price range for dried and bagged foundry grade chromite narrowed on Tuesday October 13, reflecting a sluggish recovery in demand, while wet bulk foundry and chemical grade prices held firm.
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08 October 2020
The market for specialty grade calcined alumina for refractory use has stabilized after dropping over 10% so far this year and by close to 20% in the past 15 months, industry sources said.