US coal-fired plant. Stock Image. US domestic demand for thermal coal will fall in the near term as individual states shut down much of the industrial economy to try and stem the coronavirus pandemic, and as slowing economic activity cuts US electricity demand in the second quarter of 2020, Moody's Investors Services said Thursday in a research note, adding that it expects an unprecedented shock...Read More

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday March 26 that are worth another look.China's electric-arc furnace mills have gradually raised production rates in the past three weeks following stronger demand for steel products.A major aluminium producer has concluded multiple deals with Japanese consumers for April-June delivery to main Japanese ports (MJP) at a premium on a c...Read More

The three-month price of lead on the London Metal Exchange was the standout performer at the close of trading on Thursday March 26, climbing by just over 3% to close at its highest level since March 16, while copper futures found support above the $4,800 per tonne threshold.Lead's underlying price on the LME closed at $1,685 per tonne, an increase of more than 3% from its intraday low of $1,635.50...Read More

Sumitomo will temporarily stop operations at its Minera San Cristobal zinc-lead mine in Bolivia due to national restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.On Thursday March 26, Sumitomo published a statement online, which said that it had decided to suspend operations due to all-day or night curfews being imposed in...Read More

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday March 26 that are worth another look.China's electric-arc furnace mills have gradually raised production rates in the past three weeks following stronger demand for steel products.A major aluminium producer has concluded multiple deals with Japanese consumers for April-June delivery to main Japanese ports (MJP) at a premium on a c...Read More

China's exports of ammonium paratungstate (APT) plunged in the first two months of 2020 due to fewer trading days amid extended national holidays due to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.China exported around 170 tonnes of APT in January and February, a decline of 67% from the 521 tonnes shipped in the same period of 2019, according to official but unconfirmed data seen by Fastmarkets.The...Read More

Petra Capital is acting as lead manager and bookrunner to a two-tranche placement priced at 18c per share, a 23.4% discount to yesterday's close. The offer closes tomorrow afternoon.Read More

Through Resolution 28, the agency has suspended the submission of defenses, evidences, oppositions and appeals in administrative proceedings with respect to infraction, occurrence and collection of revenues related to financial compensation for mineral exploration, inspection fee and fines; and any other term established in the Brazilian Mining Code.The suspension will not apply to obligations and...Read More

Key data from Wednesday March 25 pricing session in Shanghai.Key drivers China's export price for ammonium paratungstate (APT) was steady in a quiet market; most sellers said they had not received any inquiries and many had stopped offering. The tungsten concentrate price continued to slide...Read More

Keith Weiner, Monetary MetalsHeadline's gone wild today. For example, one public gold company CEO tweeted:"Today, some banks failed to deliver physical in the COMEX bar EFP. As a result, these banks suffered large losses...There remains a big shortage in physical in the COMEX denomination. So, rumors are, the COMEX will announce a force majeure..."Ignoring his sloppy understanding of the market...Read More

There is an old saying in Hindi "Jab tak hai sona roona kaabhi nahi roona". This is means that if you and your family own lots and lots physical gold (sona), they will never face any financial hardship in life. Forget the dash for cash. It is now the dash for physical gold. It is the dash for physical silver. You cannot buy gold. You can buy physical silver. Indians can buy silver July futures....Read More

The London Metal Exchange has developed procedures to manage the temporary unavailability of one of its approved warehouses or delivery points that might stem from the Covid-19 outbreak.These measures, which are in line with the exchange's Warehouse Agreement, address potential issues around delivery obligations, warranting and rent payments, it said. "These procedures have been discussed wit...Read More

The spread of the Covid-19 virus is forcing shutdowns and a reassessment of consumers' cobalt requirements. Prices of cobalt - metal, intermediates and salts - have so far taken a hit amid concerns of a general, global economic slowdown caused by the virus; a slower uptake in electric vehicle usage; and disrupted demand from the aerospace sector. But lockdowns aimed at limiting the spread of the v...Read More

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Thursday March 26 that are worth another look.China's electric-arc furnace mills have gradually raised production rates in the past three weeks following stronger demand for steel products.A major aluminium producer has concluded multiple deals with Japanese consumers for April-June delivery to main Japanese ports (MJP) at a premium on a c...Read More

The global spread of the Covid-19 virus continues to limit deep-sea scrap trading in Turkey, sources told Fastmarkets on Thursday March 26.The finished long steel and billet markets were also seriously down in Turkey because of the outbreak, they added."There has been no export business [for rebar] for the past three weeks - apart from ongoing trades. We are only producing...Read More

Prices for bulk cargoes of ferrous scrap imported to Bangladesh sank on Thursday as scrap-heavy steel mills showed less appetite for material, market sources told Fastmarkets.Mills in Bangladesh have been on a bulk-scrap buying bonanza for much of March - securing at least nine bulk cargoes from the United States, Japan and Australia during the month.But purchasing has declined drastically in rece...Read More

Sumitomo will temporarily stop operations at its Minera San Cristobal zinc-lead mine in Bolivia due to national restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.On Thursday March 26, Sumitomo published a statement online, which said that it had decided to suspend operations due to all-day or night curfews being imposed in...Read More

Governments' massive efforts to support economies have provided some relief to markets and sentiment, but with the novel coronavirus (nCoV 2019) pandemic still spreading rapidly throughout Europe, the United States and elsewhere, there is still just too much uncertainty for markets to settle down.In line with this, the countertrend move of recent days is showing signs of running out of steam this...Read More

Share this articleVANCOUVER - SSR Mining Inc. says more than 300 workers will be affected by its decision to suspend operations at the Seabee gold mine in northern Saskatchewan until April 30 due to the threat of COVID-19.Spokesman Michael McDonald says the mine employs about 360 staff on two shifts and they will continue to be paid during the shutdown.About 20 people from each shift will remai...Read More

Share this articleVANCOUVER - Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. says its San Jose silver and gold mine in southwestern Mexico is resuming operations today.In a brief report late Wednesday, it said an illegal blockade of roads in the municipality of San Jose del Progreso that prevented access to the mine has ended.Earlier this week, the Canadian company said a group of people led by the former mayor of S...Read More