CIS export billet prices continued climbing in the week ending Monday February 19 as deals were heard concluded at higher prices, supported by positive dynamics in the scrap and finished long steel sector.Metal Bulletin's weekly export CIS Billet Index was $513 per tonne fob Black Sea on February 19, up from $498 per tonne fob.Buying activity was predominantly concentrated in the Turkish mark...Read More

- Trade war between two superpowers continues to escalate- White House likely to impose steep tariffs on aluminium and steel imports on 'national security grounds'- US may impose global tariff of at least 24% on imports of steel and 7.7% on aluminium- China "will certainly take necessary measures to protect our legitimate rights."- China is USA's largest trading partner, fastest-growing market f...Read More

By Keith WeinerArbitrary Interest RatesIn the past few weeks, we have argued that interest rates will not rise. We have made our arguments based on observable cases of soft credit demand that falls with rising rates, and analysis of the incentives on creditors and debtors. Ours is a case that rates can't go up much, for long, because demand for credit won't chase rates up. In the postwar period...Read More

The Mexican government must look into the reciprocal sanctions it can take against the United States if it is included in action resulting from that country's Section 232 investigation into steel imports, national steel association Canacero has said."If [Mexico] is included in measures [resulting from the Section 232 investigation], we are obliged as a country to respond immediately with equivalen...Read More

While the United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA) in charge of issuing mineral exploration licences has granted 26 so far, Papua New Guinea remains the only country to have granted an operating permit for ocean floor mining.Canada's Nautilus is on track to start operations at its Solwara gold, copper and silver project in the Bismarck sea off PNG in early 2019, making it the first und...Read More

The value of global mining and metals deals hit a four-year high in 2017, according to accountancy firm EY, boosted by a jump in money raised on stock exchanges to a six-year high.Mining and metals deals totalled $51 billion last year, up 15% from 2016. Activity was dominated by coal and steel transactions. However, the volume of deals fell 6% as M&A focus in the sector started shifting from d...Read More

Domestic Chinese trading is preparing for a shake-up after the new International Energy Exchange (INE), a subsidiary of the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), has announced it will allow non-Chinese companies to trade crude oil futures contracts.Following the release of a one-line statement from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on February 9 that announced the launch of domestic cr...Read More

European steel association Eurofer is warning the United States that the deployment of blanket trade restrictions as part of a Section 232 remedy will almost certainly be contested by World Trade Organization (WTO) countries and will trigger prompt retaliation.The European steel industry is concerned that - unless President Donald Trump decides to decline the Section 232 recommendations on steel i...Read More

RAPAPORT... Stargems will host a series of rough-diamond tenders in Dubai this year, enabling miners, suppliers and other companies to buy and sell goods.The sourcing-and-supply company has formed a partnership with the Dubai DiamondExchange (DDE) to stage the events at the bourse, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) said Sunday."The business case is clear," said Shailesh Javeri, chairmanof...Read More

Prices in the Commonwealth of Independent States' export markets for hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) have gone up again amid low availability of March-rolled material."Material allocation is very limited and producers are not ready to negotiate," one trader told Metal Bulletin.Metal Bulletin's weekly price assessment for CIS-origin HRC exports was $585-600 per tonne fob Black Sea...Read More

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Africa practice cochairperson and partner Peter Leon says the postponement of Monday’s scheduled High Court case over the hotly contested Mining Charter 3, signals a welcome change in relations between government and the South African mining industry.The postponement, which was announced at the weekend, f...Read More

RAPAPORT... Sarine Technologies has filed a lawsuit against Indianmanufacturer Rose Gems, alleging breach of contract and fraud, thediamond-technology company said Sunday. The suit, which also alleges copyright infringement, relatesto activities Sarine initially reported last month. By illegally hacking intoand manipulating Sarine's Galaxy inclusion-mapping system, Rose Gemsdeliberately...Read More

RAPAPORT... Petra Diamonds saw a significant loss in the first fiscalhalf, impacted by several factors including a blocked diamond parcel andthe effects of a stronger rand, the company said Monday.The net loss came to $117.7 million for the six-month periodending December 31, while profit from mining activities slipped 7% to $85.6million.The miner suffered a $118 million impairment charge - aperma...Read More

Aluminium was the only base metal on the London Metal Exchange to close in positive territory on Monday February 19, with the majority of the complex's prices under pressure.The three-month aluminium price closed $6 higher as it managed to stabilize above $2,200 per tonne following Friday's release of US Commerce department recommendations on imports."While prices have rallied from their recent lo...Read More

GABORONE – Zimbabwe is reportedly set to sign a diamond processing deal with Botswana within the next three months, after President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with his counterpart, President Ian Khama, this week in Gaborone.According to the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa was in Botswana on a state visit.AdvertisementMnangagwa toured the world renowned Diamond Trading Company (DTC) that...Read More

Metal Bulletin has discontinued its weekly domestic China pig iron price.After a consultation period, Metal Bulletin has suspended the price due to lack of liquidity in the market amid the growth of integrated steel mills in China. If you have any comments on the discontinuation please contact July Zhang by email at: pricing@metalbulletin.com. Please add the subject heading FAO: July Zhang, re: do...Read More

The week-long Lunar New Year holiday slowed down European and Chinese tungsten markets last week with little spot activity taking place. Chinese, European markets were subdued during Lunar New Year holidays Week-long holidays expected to tighten tungsten supply further Expectations of price increase after China returns to the market China's tungsten market was quiet last week amid thin...Read More

The latest metal markets news and price moves to start the North American day on Monday February 19.Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were weaker during morning trading today, with most metals reversing gains seen last week.Here's how base metals prices looked...Read More

Good morning from Metal Bulletin's office in Singapore as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Monday February 19. The LME aluminium price dipped 0.61% during early Asian trading on Monday February 19, reversing gains seen last Friday.Check Metal Bulletin's live futures report here.China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has called the findings of the United States' Section 232 investiga...Read More

Please join us tomorrow, Tuesday February 20th, when the next report is scheduled to be released.  Today we are observing a holiday in Canada and the U.S.Sponsored By...More from the network: Stock Market Outlook for March 5, 2018Stock Market Outlook for March 2, 2018Stock Market Outlook for March 1, 2018Stock Market Outlook for February 28, 2018Stock Market Outlook for February 27, 2018Read More