Metals &Mining Alert:Daily prices and news,China mulls Daily prices and news:China mulls
Industrials (/lb): aluminum $0.96 (+1.1%), copper $3.06 (+0.8%), lead $1.03(+0.5%), molybdenum $7.14 (+0.0%); nickel $5.34 (+1.5%); zinc $1.40 (+1.7%);Precious (/oz): gold $1,327 (-1.4%), silver $17.80 (-0.9%); Steel (/mt): ChinaHRC $647 (-1.9%), SHFE Rebar $597 (-2.0%), MB Scrap Index $344 (-2.0%);Bulks: iron ore (/dmt) $74 (+0.2%), coking coal (/mt) $209 (+0.0%), freight (BCI)2,813 (+1.7%); Energy: Brent (/bbl) $53.84 (+0.1%), WTI (/bbl) $48.07 (+1.2%),natural gas (/mmBtu) $2.95 (+2.1%), thermal coal (/t) $100 (+1.1%).
Chinese government official reveals China has begun looking at a ban ontraditional petrol-engine cars. Xin Guobin, Vice Minister of Ministry of Industryand Information Technology, predicted “turbulent times” ahead for automakerswho would be forced to adapt. The Ministry has started research and is lookingto draw up a timeline with relevant departments, per Xinhua News Agency.
Index tracking electric vehicles rose 4% DoD to a 14-month high. (Reuters).
Indian gold demand could pick up in coming weeks with festival seasonapproaching. The rise in gold price on geopolitical tensions has weakenedAsian demand last few weeks, but Indian dealers continued to aggressivelyimport to offer wide discounts to customers. Discounts widened to $8/oz thisweek as dealers aimed to lure buyers (+$2/oz WoW). (Reuters).
Crude steel output at members of China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).
averaged 1.85mt/day (-3.7% sequentially, +9.9% YoY) during August 21-31.
Finished steel inventory at mills totaled 12.23mt (-7.2%, -1.4%). China’s totaloutput estimated at 2.34mt (-3.2%, +5.6%). Decline from mid-August’s recordoutput levels (1.92mt/day) was due to stoppage of CISA mills in Hebei provinceto improve air quality. Environmental crackdown intensifies as eight inspectionteams begin one month tour ahead of the National People’s Congress. (SBB).
US steel production declines 0.8% WoW to 1.73m st (+8.9% YoY), withutilization at 74.3% (-60 bps WoW, +630 bps YoY) for the week ending 9/9, onlower output from 3 out of 5 regions. YTD output totaled 62.6m st (+3.3%YoY), with utilization at 74.6% (+250 bps YoY). (AISI).
Zambia’s copper output expected to decline to 754kt in 2017 (vs. 774kt in2016), mainly on lower output from Konkola mines (-40% YoY), per Ministry ofMines. Production at Barrick’s Lumwana mine expected to fall 15% ondeclining ore grades. However, the government had said in June that output isexpected to rise to 850kt in 2017. Zambia’s Chamber of Mines noted outputwould be dependent on resolution of power pricing and stable fiscal andregulatory environment. (Mining Weekly).
Canada’s Eldorado Gold suspends investment at mines and developmentprojects in Greece due to delay in securing environmental permits. Companyintends to place mines and projects under care and maintenance, which willcost $30m. Currently, it is awaiting additional details from the government overthe arbitration process. (Reuters)