Email this article Australia on Tuesday lifted its forecast for iron ore exports by 0.3 percent to 338.4 million tonnes in the 2009/10 financial year, but warned of weaker international demand from steelmakers hit by the financial slump.
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Closed Mill Opens A Can Of Worms
Why has former owner of Koenig & Vits, Tim Martinez, bought a closed mill for $17 million? Would the mill be rebuilt? Could it be used to pay off debtors? Are aluminum prices positive enough?
A Rosier Outlook for Japan’s Economy
Aluminum stockpiles have risen consistently this year amid the downturn in the auto sector; however recent evidence that the economy is improving combined with confidence in Chinese purchases have lifted aluminum demand.
China Accused of Aluminum Dumping
The U.S. and the EU have both launched World Trade Organization complaints against China on the grounds that Beijing unfairly helps domestic makers of steel and aluminum, by blocking overseas exports of raw materials.
Tough times ahead for aluminum industry
Despite the recent recovery in LME aluminum prices; demand for the stainless steel component remains in the dumps. Without any idea of when demand may stage a comeback, aluminum miners are bracing for more tough times.
Smoking Hot: Coal Is On Fire
Obama's budget proposals have come in for flak, given that it is clearly set to scale back tax breaks and other incentives for domestic production of coal.
Backing Out Of Coal
The years-long effort to develop a coal mine in the Otter Creek Valley has come to naught. Queensland billionaire Clive Palmer has also backtracked on his $60 b coal contract with a Chinese group. What seems to be happening here?
Coal Market Leaps To Life
Coal prices firm up.
Coal Showing The Way In Australia
There is a real, physical demand for commodities and coking coal price is expected to jump by 36% in 2010, forecast analysts.
Greenback Softens Copper, But Declining Stocks Limit Downside
After rallying 5.5 percent on the back of the Chilean earthquake, copper prices dipped, ranging between lows of $7,255 per tonne and highs at $7,634 per tonne on the LME.
Chilean Quake Spikes Copper Market
The Chilean earthquake boosted copper; as concerns over supply threats permeated the market. The 8.8 magnitude quake hit over the weekend, and when the markets opened Monday the red metal climbed the most in nearly a year.
Dropping Consumer Confidence Takes a Bite out of Copper
On Tuesday, copper futures extended Monday’s losses as data indicating weaker than anticipated US consumer confidence weighed on sentiment. On Monday night, copper futures closed down for the first time in five sessions as a firmer greenback halted the red metal’s rally.
Copper to Thrive, with or without China
Purchases from other nations; the US and Japan are also powerhouses when it comes to copper consumption, will more than offset any potential decrease in Chinese consumption. As economies around the globe get back on track, the global copper market is anticipated to move into a deficit this year.
Chinese Diamond Demand Heats Up
China is now the world’s second largest economy. This massive increase in wealth has created a massive desire for luxury goods, diamonds included.
Well On The Path Of A Recovery
The festive cheer, the series of 'good news' reports and the stepped up buying all mean that the good times are probably back for the diamond industry.
Diamonds Set To Shine Again
Dealers are gearing up for the forthcoming Valentine Day celebrations. Though nowhere near as important as Christmas or even the change of a year, Valentine's Day holds the promise of driving up sales.
China’s Appetite For Bling
The sparkling stones are a new love in a country where gold and jade have traditionally signaled love. China's love for the sparklers is high.
South Parse: Talking Turkey
By Duncan Sutherland – Exclusive to Gas Investing News
Market news
What else can be said about the natural gas market? Futures seem to have reached a rough stabilization in the US$6.50 – US$7.50 range, and winter approaches.
Barring a major depression of the sort where people make shoelace soup, winter means more demand for natural gas. So, [...]
South Parse:Warning signs
By Duncan Sutherland – Exclusive to Gas Investing News
Market news
The high US$6 – mid US$7 NYMEX future price seems to be relatively stable given the incredible volatility of other commodities and market indices.
Though this stability is preventing gas investors from riding the same emotional rollercoaster that most other investors have boarded, it has had a [...]
Introduction to Hydrocarbon Investing
Hydrocarbons are the sine qua non of modern life. A short thought experiment illustrates the point rather well. Think of how your day would go if you couldn’t use the internal combustion engine, plastic, most electricity, the products of commercial agriculture or anything that has traveled by ship.
If you pay even tangential attention to the [...]
Introduction to Natural Gas Investing
Recently, historians have re-evaluated ancient Greek accounts of the Oracle at Delphi. Some now suggest that these divinations were the result of priestesses inhaling ethylene or methane that filled the cave from a fissure in the rock.
During the intervening millennia, mankind has found more prosaic uses for these hydrocarbons. Natural gas has been used to [...]
Gold Range Bound, But Above $1100
Gold is in a tug of war between the bears and the bulls this week, fighting off forces determined to push it down below the psychological $1100 level while at the same time struggling to break above $1135 an ounce.
Currency Markets Driving Gold Prices
Further affecting precious metals prices of late is the fear paper currencies around the globe may be in peril, making gold as a hard asset much more attractive.
Gold: Risky Play or Safe Bet?
By Melissa Pistilli-Exclusive to Gold Investing News
A number of factors, real or imagined, combined to move the gold price down to touch a two-week low at $1087.70 an ounce early Thursday and then back up to nearly the $1110 level in a matter of hours.
Movements in the gold market are becoming less and less predictable [...]
Seniors Eyeing Shining Gold Juniors
By Kishori Krishnan Exclusive To Gold Investing News
There are two ways to play the gold game. Either keep a watchful eye on the biggies and check out their every move, or latch on to some tried and tested junior gold miners, many of who are set to have their day in the sun.
Back in the [...]
Upgrader:Harper’s gambit
By Duncan Sutherland – Exclusive to Heavy Oil Investing News
Market news
The short to medium term outlook for oil sands and heavy oil projects remains negative. As the barrel price for light sweet crude remains (relatively) low, new investments in oil sands projects are unlikely to be forthcoming. The combination of low prices and tight credit [...]
Upgrader: elections special
By Duncan Sutherland – Exclusive to Heavy Oil Investing News
Canada:
Upgrader is going up later than usual this week because of the Canadian Federal Election and the American Presidential debate. Now that these two events are a matter of record, there is much good news for the heavy oil and oil sands industries.
First, the Canadian [...]
Introduction to Hydrocarbon Investing
Hydrocarbons are the sine qua non of modern life. A short thought experiment illustrates the point rather well. Think of how your day would go if you couldn’t use the internal combustion engine, plastic, most electricity, the products of commercial agriculture or anything that has traveled by ship.
If you pay even tangential attention to the [...]
Heavy Oil and Oil Sands Introduction
Depictions of the oil industry often involve images of geysering derricks, boisterous Texans and ultra-wealthy Arab sheikhs. Though these stereotypes have some element of truth in them, they conceal more than they illuminate about hydrocarbons in the 21st century. Conventional oil will remain the cornerstone of our energy economy into the forseeable future, but high [...]
Ironing Out The Issues
By Kishori Krishnan Exclusive To Iron Investing News
With key indicators across developed economies showing an improvement in the quarter, mining heavyweight BHP Billiton Ltd has teamed up with rivals Rio Tinto Group and Posco, Asia’s most profitable steelmaker, in raising iron-ore production. An uptick in demand from automakers and builders has ensured a good camaraderie [...]
India’s Iron Fist Thumps In Canada
By Kishori Krishnan Exclusive To Iron Investing News
The world’s eighth-largest steel maker, India’s Tata Steel Ltd (TISC.BO), has said it expects its European unit Corus to be operating at full capacity by the end of the fiscal year in March.
Corus, Europe’s second-largest steelmaker, operated at 80 per cent capacity in October.
In a bid to ensure [...]
China & Its Shenanigans
By Kishori Krishnan Exclusive To Iron Investing News
China, the world’s biggest steel producer, is flexing its muscles again. The country is eager to replace the benchmark arrangement price long used by the industry for iron ore imports with one that will give it a bigger say.
Last week’s major meeting between the world’s iron ore [...]
Baosteel To Edge Out Xstrata in Anglo American?
By Kishori Krishnan Exclusive To Iron Investing News
Iron clad deals are in play. Chinese steel and iron ore group Baosteel has proposed to pay US$ 1.6 billion for a 30 per cent stake in Anglo American’s (AAL.L) huge Minas Rio iron ore mine in Brazil. Traders maintain that any deal with Baosteel could help [...]
Lead and Zinc join base metal rally
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Lead Investing News
Lead and zinc prices have been on board for the base metal rally, zinc on the LME is currently trading for $1,633.50 per tonne, up 30 per cent so far this year. The metal used to galvanize steel touched a four-year low of $1,038 on Dec.12, [...]
Lead and zinc positioned for recovery
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Lead Investing News
As the global economy arguably trots down the path to a recovery, the metals are diverging in prices due to differences in their fundamental dynamics. Lead was the second-best performer of the LME metals last quarter, coming in a few percentage points behind copper. Lead gained 27 [...]
Fed announcement spurs zinc, bypasses lead
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Lead Investing News
The Fed’s announcement to purchase treasuries sent lead and zinc on their largest ascent in two months. Fed officials voted on March 18 to buy Treasury and mortgage bonds in an effort to revive America’s economy, lifting stocks as well as commodities. Copper, zinc and aluminum all [...]
China to force out lead and zinc juniors?
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Lead Investing News
Chinese lead and zinc refineries are interested in integration and expansion, but not mergers or acquisitions. The Chinese government showed its support by providing a plan to encourage the non-ferrous industries to restructure and integrate. The government has also mentioned that it wants to support the industry’s [...]
A Healthy Appetite For Risk
Risks are an integral part of investing, from green technology to mining exploration. True bargains are found during periods of uncertainty. It is often said that crisis equals danger plus opportunity. Investing successfully often begins during a period of market volatility by identifying risks and recognizing opportunities.
BATTERIES, BIKES AND CARS
The catastrophic news of a large earthquake in central and south Chile on the morning of February 27, did not have any demonstrative impact on the lithium industry. The week has actually resulted in a number of positive developments for both lithium consumers and producers.
At the Edge of a Salt Basin
Investors are always looking for a competitive advantage. ‘Life begins with Li’. Endeavoring to identify a hidden gem in the lithium investment world for investors will involve eliminating potential bias slant while identifying the real competitive advantages.
Mad Dash To Lock In Lithium
An industrial mineral commodity conference in Las Vegas showcased how corporates are warming up to lithium.
Manganese: The Come-Back Metal
The coming six months will bring much-needed cheer to the global manganese markets, and investors should get in now before prices escalate.
Put Your Money On Manganese
Besides being a critical component in steel and iron production and batteries, on-going research has shown that manganese can be used as a critical component in new technologies. This means investors can sit pretty after taking a long-term investment call on this metal.
Rebounding Steel Demand Bodes Well for Molybdenum
Projected growth for steel combined with Chinese firms investing in foreign molybdenum producers could provide investors with unique opportunities at a good value.
What Lies Ahead For Moly?
Molybdenum is set to trade on the London Metal Exchange from February 22, but the world's No 2 producer Chile's Codelco has decided to stay away. Why does the miner want to go it alone? Are shaky copper prices to blame?
Moly Producers Ring In Good Times
A draft proposal by the Chinese government that lays down the thresholds for access to the molybdenum industry is set to cheer moly producers.
Moly Prices Set To Be Firm
Prices are set to follow an upward trend in 2010. Prices for oxide are forecast to average US$ 17/lbMo, rising to above US$ 20/lbMo in 2011, as strong demand willl ensure producers follow suit and hike prices.
China & Crude: Battling New Frontiers
Flagging of its interest in the black gold this week, China National Oil Corporation secured its place in Iraq. Together with BP, it signed the first big oil deal. Why the sudden interest in oil?
Down, Down, Down For Oil Majors?
All eyes are on oil majors, as they battle a refining slump. BP reports results Tuesday, followed by Conoco on Wednesday, Exxon and Shell on Thursday, and Chevron on Friday. Though the sector is up 20 per cent, refineries are struggling as demand remains limp. Is there a way out?
What’s Adding Fuel To The Fire?
Gold may be taking off right now, but it's not the only thing in an uptrend. Energy is also moving higher. The considerable drop of investment in oil exploration and production is, however, set to bring the risk of oil prices hike in the future. In Iraq, a different picture is playing out.
Advantage: Crude
Even as investors are mulling mixed signals over crude supply numbers from the Energy Information Administration, there are clear indications that the Gulf state leaders have no plans to stop pricing oil in dollars. The rumour had traders hitting the panic button.
China & Crude: Battling New Frontiers
Flagging of its interest in the black gold this week, China National Oil Corporation secured its place in Iraq. Together with BP, it signed the first big oil deal. Why the sudden interest in oil?
Down, Down, Down For Oil Majors?
All eyes are on oil majors, as they battle a refining slump. BP reports results Tuesday, followed by Conoco on Wednesday, Exxon and Shell on Thursday, and Chevron on Friday. Though the sector is up 20 per cent, refineries are struggling as demand remains limp. Is there a way out?
What’s Adding Fuel To The Fire?
Gold may be taking off right now, but it's not the only thing in an uptrend. Energy is also moving higher. The considerable drop of investment in oil exploration and production is, however, set to bring the risk of oil prices hike in the future. In Iraq, a different picture is playing out.
Advantage: Crude
Even as investors are mulling mixed signals over crude supply numbers from the Energy Information Administration, there are clear indications that the Gulf state leaders have no plans to stop pricing oil in dollars. The rumour had traders hitting the panic button.
Politics & Palladium: Showtime!
Political wrangling over the General Motor bailout could well be the silver lining for Stillwater Mining Co. Other automakers continue to use palladium, thereby ensuring higher prices.
Palladium: A Better Show Than Gold
With the Federal Reserve promising to keep US interest rates at a record low of near zero for the foreseeable future, analysts expect gold and other precious metals to fetch higher prices in the coming months. Palladium prices have been playing catch-up after plummeting in response to sluggish industrial demand and is expected to be a better show than gold in 2009.
Palladium touches 11-month high
Palladium prices climbed to an 11 month high of $274.50 an ounce on Tuesday, as dollar weakness and growing investor risk appetite boosted the precious metals complex.
Palladium capitalizes on down economy
Palladium’s gains were snapped last Friday as the greenback rallied. The precious metal came under pressure as a study from the University of Michigan showed an unexpected increase in consumer confidence. This reduced the metals “safe-haven” appeal.
Potash’s Rebound Race- Tortoise or Hare?
Since the beginning of the year, the potash market has been tracking a slow route to recovery, and this has some investors crying the blues.
China Predicts Stable 2010 Potash Prices
With potash companies waiting with baited breath for a big 2010 rebound, China believes that potash prices will remain relatively stable this year.
For Potash, India goes Bargain Hunting
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Potash Investing News
Canpotex, the marketing conglomerate for North American Potash Producers signed a deal earlier this month to sell 600,000 tonnes of potash to India for $370 per tonne. That potash will last roughly through June, and for future contracts India will seek to lower prices due to a [...]
After Weathering the Storm, Potash looks to Sunny Skies
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Potash Investing News
After weathering a tumultuous 2009; potash producers are holding their breath in anticipation of a better 2010. Analysts are confident that producers will get what they desire; predicting demand for potash will bounce back this year as purchasers return to the market.
The recent drawdown in potash inventories [...]
Investor Confidence Needs An ETF
The setting up of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the rare earths metals sector will ensure transparency and will go a long way in bringing in more investors, including institutional buyers.
US Gets Moving On Rare Earths
It looks like the United States has finally decided to try and break China's grip on the supply of Rare Earth Elements after global concerns were raised of the Red country's monopoly.
China May Have To Worry Soon
News of the likelihood of finding rare earths supplies by Greenland Minerals and Energy which could possibly pose a large challenge to the Chinese supply has send the rare earths sector into a tizzy.
Europe Wakes Up To REE Concern
Europe has finally acknowledged that there is a serious problem in the rare earths sphere. But what can it do to tackle it? Analysts are divided in their opinion.
Silver Price Tracks Gold Lower
Silver is showing it’s still very much tied to gold, tracking the yellow metal down on price chopping news out of China, the oil trade and the currency markets.
CFTC to Find Silver Price Manipulation?
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission says it will hold a public meeting March 25 to investigate claims of manipulation and discuss setting speculation limits in precious metals futures markets.
Silver Miners Making News
By Melissa Pistilli-Exclusive to Silver Investing News
Long-Term Outlook for Silver
Many analysts expect strong industrial demand for silver over the medium- to long-term to provide price support going forward. Strong investment demand can also be seen in record combined ETF silver holdings, which reached 472.7 million ounces Friday, up 0.2 per cent from the previous week.
Kevin [...]
Greek Financial Crisis Weighs on Silver
By Melissa Pistilli-Exclusive to Silver Investing News
Precious metals prices are taking heavy hits in the recent week from continued European economic woes that are helping to support the dollar.
On Wednesday, silver prices plunged threatening a breakdown once again through the $15 an ounce support level as volatility in global currency markets spilled over into the [...]
Working Toward a Conflict-Free Mineral Trade
Companies who rely on gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum to manufacture their products are coming under increasing public pressure to ensure the minerals they use are conflict free.
Tracing the Tantalum Trade—Part Two
Companies like Apple and Hewlett Packard say they are taking measures to insure conflict minerals don’t end up in their products. But is the work of identifying conflict minerals in the supply chain as difficult has they say?
Tracing the Tantalum Trade–Part One
Major electronics firms claim the supply chains for their products are complex and difficult to unravel. But, NGOs say research conducted by themselves and the United Nations proves otherwise.
Tantalum: Congo Conflict Mineral
Natural resources like tin, tungsten and tantalum have been branded with the moniker “conflict minerals” because the militias enslave locals to mine the metals and then use the funds garnered from their sale to help finance their bloody operations.
Cadbury Cans Its Roses, Tin In Epicentre
Cadbury has abandoned its tin cans for cardboard boxes, in an attempt to go green this Christmas. Could this prove to be the death knell for the tin industry?
Rising Metal Prices Puts Mine On Track
Tin mining is to make a triumphant return to Cornwall as part of a landmark scheme which will create 1,000 new jobs and see vast swathes of land turned over to housing and employment. Western United Mines has sealed a deal that will bring mining operations back to life.
Tin Trades Trudge On
One investor seems to be buying up most of the tin traded on the LME. Sparking unease among traders, several questions are doing the rounds - are the prices being pushed up artificially? Why the big position? Who benefits?
Defeated ArcelorMittal Lowers Tin Price
Following major criticism over the increase of its tin-plate prices, which were adjusted yearly by 69% to 78%, ArcelorMittal South Africa (ACLJ.J)
has toned down prices. The decision was welcomed by the packaging industry. But tin prices have yet to respond significantly to the fresh supply problems in Indonesia, which may be partly due to the strong recovery in Chinese production.
West Eager To Break Chinese Monopoly
Low demand, low prices, and the break up of the former USSR has led to a collapse in tungsten production. With China soldering on as the predominant tungsten producer in the world, the West is seeking out direct ownership of non-Chinese mines. Where is the fresh supply?
Stagnant tungsten market dips prices
The ferro-tungsten market has been stagnant in recent weeks, with only a handful of transactions taking place. Last Friday, in China, inactivity translated into a dip in prices. Ferro-tungsten fell to $25.90 a kilogram, down from the recent rate of $28.00 per kilogram.
For tungsten miners, it’s exploration as usual
The tungsten market has been quiet for ’09. Ferro-tungsten prices have been slowly creeping up due to short supply, so it is exploration as usual for the tungsten business. Tungsten exploration outside of China is critical, as the country has a monopoly on the metal used for military and aeronautical equipment.
Supply cutbacks influence tungsten market
Chinese ferrotungsten export prices have been creeping up since the conclusion of the spring festival in January. Low prices in the fourth quarter of 2008 pushed many key tungsten producers to stop operations. The same miners have announced, that despite the current trend, they do not plan to resume mining and production in short term.
Canada Opens Arms to Uranium Investment
In last week’s Throne Speech, the Harper government laid out plans to liberalize foreign investment in the Canadian uranium industry in an effort to fire up mining activity.
Uranium Miners Making News
Uranium miners making the news today include First Uranium Corp., Uranerz Energy Corporation, Bayswater Uranium Corporation and Khan Resources.
Uranium Fueling Niger Coup?
By Melissa Pistilli-Exclusive to Uranium Investing News
Last week in Niger, a military junta led by Platoon Comander Salou Djibo calling itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) launched a bloody coup against the elected government of President Tandja Mamadou.
The United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, which has subsequently expelled [...]
Obama Backs Nuclear Power
By Melissa Pistilli-Exclusive to Uranium Investing News
Early this week, US President Barack Obama is expected to announce a loan guarantee for two new reactors that will be built by Southern Company in Burke, Georgia.
Southern Co will be the first nuclear energy firm to take advantage of The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which allows the [...]
Vanadium prices continue upward
Investors in vanadium can relax. The third week of February saw prices continue to rise, adding value to their stock.
Demand For Ferrovanadium Up
After prices stabilized in February first week, the second week saw demand for ferrovanadium going up, leading to a hike in spot prices.
Vanadium Continues To Ride On The Positive
Vanadium prices have stablized in the first week of February, even as exploration companies report exciting new finds.
Trouble Brewing In SA
Many companies have reported positive results in their on-going mining programmes for vanadium. But supply of this minor metal from South Africa may run into problems due to a political controversy brewing there.
Canadian Miners Tune Into Zinc
By Kishori Krishnan Exclusive To Zinc Investing News
Its a modern day gold rush, the likes of which the northern Manitoba town has not seen for a while.
HudBay Minerals Inc is to commence construction on what is anticipated to become the biggest gold and zinc mine in Canada.
The site is about 700 kilometres north of Winnipeg, [...]
Fed announcement spurs zinc, bypasses lead
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Zinc Investing News
The Fed’s announcement to purchase treasuries sent lead and zinc on their largest ascent in two months.
Fed officials voted on March 18 to buy Treasury and mortgage bonds in an effort to revive America’s economy, lifting stocks as well as commodities. Copper, zinc and aluminum all rose [...]
China to force out lead and zinc juniors?
By Leia Michele Toovey-Exclusive to Zinc Investing News
Chinese lead and zinc refineries are interested in integration and expansion, but not mergers or acquisitions. The Chinese government showed its support by providing a plan to encourage the non-ferrous industries to restructure and integrate. The government has also mentioned that it wants to support the industry’s larger [...]
Lead and zinc fundamentals diverge
By Leia Michele Toovey- Exclusive to Zinc Investing News
Lead and zinc prices both started 2009 strongly, but as the year has progressed lead’s better near term fundamentals have led it to continue as the more robust of the two metals. Zinc stocks on the London Metal Exchange have consistently risen; through the month of January [...]
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