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December 2018
21 December 2018
China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate prices stable; year-end lull keeps ROW markets subdued; PRICING NOTICE: Proposal to amend pricing schedule for European magnesia prices; consultation on grade; PRICING NOTICE: Proposal to launch new monthly frac sand prices
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21 December 2018
Fastmarkets IM proposes changes to the pricing schedule for Magnesia, fused, European, FOB Europe, to monthly from weekly
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20 December 2018
The requirement for a higher energy density in new electric vehicle (EV) battery projects has been removed from the official regulations on automobile industry investment published by the country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on its website.
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20 December 2018
The complexity of the graphite market is one of the main reasons why new producers struggle to establish profitable businesses in this sector, even if they manage get new mines into operation. Correspondent Rose Pengelly examines the intricacies of the graphite supply chain and considers who may be able to step in to help break China’s dominance.
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20 December 2018
As Fastmarkets IM was going to press it became clear that the foundations of the UK were coming under fire.
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20 December 2018
Funding remains a problem for almost all junior mining companies but, for industrial minerals developers, the market is particularly tough because new ways of raising money do not sit well with the sector’s opaque and illiquid pricing practices, which makes it harder to communicate value, Rose Pengelly reports.
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20 December 2018
Magnesia prices out of China have surged in 2018 following severe environmental restrictions. Carrie Shi, Fastmarkets IM market reporter, looks over the year of shutdowns and the effect on prices.
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20 December 2018
Improved production in most mining areas is prompting hopes that andalusite supply tightness may ease in the near to mid term, but prices are expected to stay firm due to strong end markets.
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20 December 2018
The spreads in the bauxite market have been widening, while concerns over China's 2019 supply flow increase and keep brown-fused alumina (BFA) and white-fused alumina (WFA) prices stable.
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20 December 2018
A round-up of all this year's events in the global industrial mineral sector.
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20 December 2018
A round-up of commodity price movements in November 2018.
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20 December 2018
Strict environmental regulation on magnesite and magnesia production in China has resulted in strong demand for imported products. Cameron Perks, Fastmarkets IM correspondent, looks at how Sibelco’s Australian operations are currently benefiting from this.
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20 December 2018
Russian Mining increases capacity by 50% while the flame retardants market continues its accelerated growth, yet alumina hydrate market remains the most widely used material.
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20 December 2018
Henan province launches new round of output cuts to run to March 15, 2019, while more magnesia producers in Liaoning province shut down.
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20 December 2018
The broad upward swing has been welcomed by the beleaguered sector but there is cause for caution, writes Will Fray, senior analyst at Maritime Strategies International.
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19 December 2018
Steady demand and increasing production pushed China's refractories output to 14.68 million tonnes in the first three quarters of the year.
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18 December 2018
Speakers at Fastmarkets MB’s Middle East Iron and Steel event stressed the urgency of shielding local steelmakers from the knock-on effects of the United States’ Section 232 tariffs although over the longer term GCC industries must find ways to become more competitive.
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17 December 2018
China’s crude steel and finished steel output both maintained their strong upward momentum in November.
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14 December 2018
Certain Fastmarkets prices will be rolled over between December 25 and January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
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06 December 2018
Brazilian apparent steel use will be higher than previously expected during 2018 and is estimated to grow again in 2019 while the industry moves on from a crisis with better economic prospects, local steel association Aço Brasil said on Wednesday December 5.
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05 December 2018
Increased availability of scrap in China and more stringent pollution controls are boosting the proportion of EAF-based production in the nation's steelmaking capacity, delegates heard at a steel and iron conference in Vietnam.
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November 2018
26 November 2018
Output of unshaped refractory materials in China rebounded slightly in October 2018, attributed to increasing production of alumina-silicon refractory materials.
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23 November 2018
GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: Chinese lithium prices unchanged in quiet market, seaborne hydroxide prices fall; Asian TiO2 prices ease, with Chinese winter supply squeeze less likely; Iodine price continues to edge up despite rejection of higher distributor offers; Magnesite mining in Haicheng hub to restart after September 2019; Sluggish demand pushes down antimony trioxide prices.
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21 November 2018
The Haicheng government has released plans to restart magnesite mining in the region, with estimates it will permit exploring again after government checks next September.
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19 November 2018
Henan province in central China has launched a new round of output cuts for the refractories and steel industries to run from November 15, 2018 to March 15, 2019.
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16 November 2018
China fluorspar price rally continues in run-up to winter; Bearish sentiment brings down foundry, chemical chromite prices; Export prices steady as more Chinese magnesia producers halt production; GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: Chinese battery-grade lithium prices stable on reduced stocks near year-end; Amendments to soda ash prices
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14 November 2018
More magnesia producers in China’s Liaoning province have stopped production, with inspectors from the country’s central government supervising adherence to environmental regulations. Domestic prices have become firmer, while export prices were unchanged on flat demand.
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06 November 2018
In a trading update the company attributed its strong performance in the third quarter to increased refractory demand, adding it is protected from high raw materials prices in China due to its integrated business model.
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06 November 2018
The refractories producer issued an upbeat forecast thanks to rising global steel production.
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02 November 2018
China’s daily crude steel output dips in mid-October, Magnesia prices firm as China launches a new environmental inspections, China’s crude stainless steel output up 8.5% in January-September, Market tightness reflected in rise in European soda ash contract price, PRICING NOTICE: Proposal to discontinue one soda ash price, Bottom end of spot iodine price range moves up for first time in 13 weeks, GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: China’s battery-grade lithium carbonate prices stabilize
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01 November 2018
Major Chinese steel mills cut their crude steel output mildly in the middle of October, while their finished steel inventories continued to rise.