Новости за 13.01.2025

China's iron-ore imports in 2024 rose to a record high for a second year, customs data showed on Monday, as lower prices spurred buying while demand remained resilient due in large part to massive steel exports that are inflaming trade tensions. The world's largest iron-ore consumer brought in a total of about 1.24-billion metric tons last year, data from the country's General Administration of Customs showed, up 4.9% from 1.18-billion tons in 2023, when it posted an annual increase of 6.6%.

In his two decades at Bank of America Corp as a mining banker, Omar Davis worked on several transactions with former Anglo American boss Mark Cutifani. They’ve now teamed up again to set up a merchant bank hoping to capture the recovery in dealmaking. The duo has joined with other bankers and commodity industry veterans to form London-based Odin Partnership. Davis said they saw an opportunity as the commodities industry draws interest from a wider range of stakeholders from governments to technology... Читать дальше...

This year is poised to have various influences impacting on commodity markets, including Donald Trump’s re-election as US President, says private baking organisation Ninety One. In unpacking the organisation’s outlook for the year, Ninety One global natural resources co-portfolio manager George Cheveley says although 2024 was a “relatively quieter” year for resource markets compared with the volatility of prior years, this year will see concerns over Tump’s tariff policies and China’s response.

Market analyst BMI has maintained its zinc price forecast for this year at $2 650/t owing to weaker supply and demand dynamics; however, refined zinc production will likely trend higher this year following a contraction in 2024. BMI reports that zinc prices started the year at a robust $2 888/t, however, it anticipates a 5.8% drop compared with the average price of $2 812/t last year – owing to tightening market fundamentals as a shortage in zinc concentrate has constrained refined output.

A well progressing Tharisa mine underground definitive feasibility study accompanied by early works capital deployment is reported by Johannesburg- and London-listed platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome company Tharisa Minerals in its latest quarterly production report. In addition is ongoing appraisal of value engineering opportunities at the Karo platinum project in Zimbabwe, where work packages are progressing in line with existing funding.

TSX-V- and Aim-listed Thor Explorations, which owns and operates the Segolila mine, in Nigeria, has increased its gold production to 85 057 oz in the year ended December 31, compared with the 84 609 oz produced in the prior year. The company’s output in the fourth quarter alone totalled 24 662 oz, with sales having amounted to 24 936 oz at an average realised price of $2 497/oz.

Lithium prices are expected to stabilise in 2025 after two years of steep declines as shuttered mines and robust electric vehicle sales in China soak up an oversupply, although the potential for mines to reopen may cap gains, analysts and traders said. A nearly 86% plunge in prices of the EV battery metal over the past two years from its peak in November 2022 forced companies to mothball mines across the world. But market participants say those closures mean buoyant demand should outpace supply... Читать дальше...