This
page is archived news covering the period of August 2017
If you are looking for current daily market news, please visit
here.
Free comprehensive information on worldwide nickel market pricing, stainless steel
prices and metals analysis and forecasts
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.
Cell phone and tablet users - smaller version of
this page -
(here)
Thursday, August 31
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$5.26/lb
. Indicators
at 6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose on Wednesday and now total
just over the 389,150 tonne level. LME nickel stockpiles are now at their
highest level recorded since January of 2016. The charts seem to indicate
$5.30 is giving nickel some tough resistance, rather than the $5.27/lb we
forecast earlier. If it is able to beat this level, $5.40 could be be the
last line of resistance traders face before we see $12,000 tonne traded.
Many see this weekend as the last hurrah for summer in the Northern Hemisphere,
and with stainless steel production typically firing back up with some purpose
in September, it will be interesting to see if the increase in production
that is already being reported, pays off for producers, and nickel traders.
Monday is a holiday in the US so our next update will be Tuesday, September
5th. Have safe and relaxing weekend!
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.91/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Stocks Advance on Growth Outlook; Dollar Steady: Markets Wrap -
more
Stainless steel sector: "Risk-reward looks favourable" says UBS - UBS
upgrades Spain's Acerinox to "buy" from "sell" and Luxembourg's Aperam to
"neutral" from "sell" on strong stainless steel demand -
more
Stainless steel demand keeps nickel high - Nickel prices have retreated,
but held near nine-month highs due to healthy demand from China's stainless
steel mills and falling supplies from the Philippines, a top ore exporter,
supporting sentiment. -
more
North
American Stainless Press Release - For the month of September 2017, North
American Stainless will increase the fuel surcharge to 20% for stainless
flat and long products. The surcharge rate is considered a maximum level
for September and will be reviewed monthly. -
source
China's
Foreign Trade Result of Molybdenum in Jan-Jun 2017 = When compared with
year-earlier period, export is up by 5.4 times and import is up by 36% =
According to the calculation to figure out volumes in pure Mo equivalent
based on China's customs statistics, the export volume in the former half
of 2017 (January - June) was 16.0237 million lbs (up by 3.7 times as much
as the year-earlier period) and the import volume was 15.3362 million lbs
(up by 27.3% from the year-earlier period). -
more
Elon
Musks Battery Demand Boom Lifts Japan Supplier Tanaka - As Elon Musk
pushes out from his California base to make electric vehicles ubiquitous,
a company halfway around the world and deep in the depths of the battery
supply chain is riding his wake. -
more
BHP
commits to nickel but will sell if price right - A leading BHP executive
says the Big Australian ultimately plans to offload its Goldfields nickel
assets, but not for any price. -
more
Dormant nickel miners keep tight rein on costs - WAs dormant
nickel miners have kept a tight rein on costs as they re-position themselves
following the mothballing of a series of mines in the 2015-16 financial year.
-
more
Poseidon considers lithium/nickel co-processing option at Lake Johnston
as Kidman option lapses - ASX-listed Kidman Resources has allowed its option
agreement to lease the Lake Johnston plant for its Mt Holland lithium operation
to lapse. -
more
Amur
Minerals eyes one million tonnes of nickel at Kun-Manie - Amur Minerals
Corporation said drilling this summer has confirmed the presence of another
massive nickel deposit at its Kun-Manie licence in Far East Russia. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, August 30
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$5.31/lb
. Indicators at
6:15 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Tuesday and now total
over the 386,500 tonne level. Chinese metal analyst Antaike is forecasting
nickel will trade over the $5.44/lb next month, while a technical advisor
we watch, says the technical chart is sending a warning signal, and the market
needs to go over $5.39/lb in the next few days to make it go away. Another
Australian nickel miner reported it made money during the last fiscal year
- a fiscal year that ended right before nickel prices jumped in July. We
show nickel did close above resistance yesterday and a second close above
$5.28/lb today should be a positive technical signal. Be we bow to the warning
sign the technical advisor reports, as he is far more qualified to speak
on the subject. News remains light as the summer season comes to an end.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.89/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
How would you explain a commodity market to a simple layman? -
more
World's Leading Steel and DRI Producers in July 2017 -
more
Japans Steel Exports Plunged 17% in July; Imports Up 21% -
more
Trump Seems to Genuinely Want a Trade War With China -
more
Stocks Rebound as Korean Fears Abate; Gold Steady: Markets Wrap -
more
Antaike
sees nickel smashing $12,000 per tonne barrier - Nickel futures will
break through the $12,000 per tonne barrier next month amid robust demand
and limited new supply in the short term, China's research body Antaike forecast
on Wednesday. -
more
The
Northern Miner podcast episode 71: The commodity forecast special
- Matts back in studio this week with a forward-looking show on commodity
price forecasts and analyst reviews. -
more
Independence back into black in 2017 - Diversified metals miner
Independence Group has swung back into black during the full year ended June,
with the miner reporting a net profit after tax of A$17-million, compared
with a net loss after tax of A$58.8-million reported at the end of the 2016
financial year. -
more
Glencore lowers ferrochrome production guidance, sees nickel risks - Glencore
expects to produce 1.59 million tonnes of ferrochrome in 2017, up from a
confirmed 1.52mt output in 2016. This figure is down -4% on the previous
guidance on account of additional market-driven maintenance, the commodities
trading and mining group says. -
more
Zim-SA
trade deficit widen by 15% - The trade deficit between Zimbabwe and South
Africa widened by 15% to $131 million in the first seven months of the year,
latest trade data from the Statistics Agency shows. -
more
Clive
Palmer putting 2500 Pilbara mining jobs at Sino Iron at risk
- The Chinese owner of the $US12 billion ($15 billion) Sino Iron project
has used its half-year results to again warn that its business partner Clive
Palmer is continuing to put the future of the Pilbara mine and the jobs of
its 2500 workers and contractors at risk. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, August 29
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$5.21/lb
. Indicators
at 6:10 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.15/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickle stored in LME approved warehouses reached a new record high on
Monday and now total just over the 388,400 tonne level. The trading price
of nickel is also at a 2017 high and we show it is currently trading at highs
not seen since January of 2015. Nickel is trading just over a technical line
of major resistance ($5.28/lb) and it will be interesting to see if this
early morning, session opening spike, holds. BHP sent out a reminder, while
nickel prices are on the increase, that it is still looking for a buyer of
its nickel division. This comes on the heels of its announcement a few weeks
ago that it was investing heavily in nickel for potential battery production.
Bloomberg reported the S&P China Steel Sentiment Index dropped to 50.75
this month, after jumping to 55.32 last month.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.87/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
ENSO and Indian Ocean Dipole persist at neutral levels -
more
(Bloomberg) The S&P Global Platts China Steel Sentiment Index slipped
to 50.75 this month from 55.32 in July. The gauge is based on a survey of
75 to 90 China-based market participants including traders and steel mills.
Stocks Drop, Gold Leads Haven Rally on Korea Fears: Markets Wrap -
more
BHP
Billiton still plans to ultimately sell its nickel division -
BHP Billiton intends to sell its nickel division despite its decision to
invest $US43 million in boosting its capacity to meet demand created by the
boom in electric vehicles. -
more
Miner
Thrown, Killed by Vehicle, Company Fined $200,000 in Death - Glencore Canada
Corporation, owner-operator of the Nickel Rim South Mine, pleaded guilty
and has been fined $200,000 in the death of a worker who was run over by
a vehicle. -
more
Courtesy
AISI - In the week ending on August 26, 2017, domestic raw steel production
was 1,740,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 74.6 percent.
Production was 1,655,000 net tons in the week ending August 26, 2016 while
the capability utilization then was 70.8 percent. The current week production
represents a 5.1 percent increase from the same period in the previous year.
Production for the week ending August 26, 2017 is down 1.3 percent from the
previous week ending August 19, 2017 when production was 1,763,000 net tons
and the rate of capability utilization was 75.6 percent. -
source
Palmer
to meet with Qld Nickel workers - Clive Palmer says he's got nothing to fear
from a meeting with sacked Queensland Nickel workers as he's still pursuing
plans to get their jobs back. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, August 28
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$5.21/lb
. Indicators
at 6:25 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading unchanged as London Metal
Exchange markets are closed today for Summer Bank Holiday. Stockpiles of
nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose on Friday and with 387,450
tonnes, we now have more nickel in LME warehouses than anytime this year.
Nickel prices rose on Thursday, but fell back on Friday and ended the week
at $5.21/lb, up $500/tonne for the week. Shanghai nickel prices are lower
today but in our opinion, the Shanghai Metal Exchange pretty much just shadows
the London Metal Exchange so what we are seeing today, is most likely a reaction
to Friday's dip in London. Even with a near 2-1/2% fall on Friday,
nickel is still trading among its 10, 30 and 100 day MVA. Technical signals
have turned negative, but the market hasn't been paying particular attention
to what appears to again be, a mere reflection, and not a signal, of what
is happening at the moment, or the day before. If the computers are trading
based on the technical signals, then Tuesday could be interesting. But human
traders appear to remain bullish, despite an abundance of inventory, so unless
technical traders are able to spark a rush for the exit, we are more likely
seeing the market correct and work off some of the fat from its overbought
status. Markets reopen tomorrow.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.87/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Trump on China: I want tariffs. And I want someone to bring me some
tariffs -
more
How Australia's iron ore miners hit the sweet spot -
more
Europe Stocks Drop on Euro Strength; Dollar Steady: Markets Wrap
- more
China's metals trade fragments into multiple narratives: Andy Home
- China's metals trade figures were once a spotlight on the state of the
world's manufacturing engine and price driver. -
more
Clarion
call for metal bulls as Citigroup hails reforms in China - Commodity markets
from base metals to iron ore are tightening globally as Asias top economy
presses on with supply-side reforms including plant closures, according to
Citigroup Inc, which raised price forecasts and predicted steel will go
through the roof. -
more
Philippines to expand mining ban to watershed areas, ore exports -
The Philippines may soon toughen up its already hard-core stance on mining
by banning the activity in watershed areas, blocking the export of unprocessed
minerals and forcing companies to seek legislative approval before operating.
-
more
To Lift Or Not?: MICC examines open pit mining ban -
more
Prices
of CR Stainless Sheets Take on Further Rise Aspect in Asia - Prices of
cold-rolled (CR) stainless steel sheets continue to surge in the Asian region.
-
more
In response:
Consider copper-nickel mining with informed skepticism - In voicing support
for copper-nickel mining in northern Minnesota, a recent letter argued that
mining sulfide ore would be no worse than natural processes already exposing
these minerals at the surface ("Modern science means mining safe," July 15).
-
more
The
Arctic Waterway to Russias Economic Future - The Northern Sea Route
(NSR) is the Arctic national waterway of the Russian Federation, stretching
some 3000 nautical miles and seven time zones across the top of Eurasia.
-
more
The
Dark Price That a Seasnake Paid to Live in a Polluted World - Turtle-headed
seasnakes (Emydocephalus annulatus) in polluted waters are changing colour.
Creatures of the Indo-Pacific coast, they usually have high contrast black
and white bands or blotches encircling their bodies from head to tail. -
more
Palmer
jets into Qld Nickel ground zero - While Clive Palmer was jetting into Townsville
today, a judge was slamming his lawyers in Brisbane for bringing up last-minute
evidence in a $22 million lawsuit. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, August 24
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$5.26/lb
. Indicators
at 6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
385,200 tonnes. We started the week with nickel looking like it might meet
some resistance at $11,000/tonne, and now we are more than half way to the
$12,000 tonne level. With nickel trading lower we expected that some of the
technical signals might have turned bearish, but so far, they all remain
either bullish ,or sending the same overbought signal they have for over
a month now. Reuters yesterday gave the following three reasons for
the bull market. "Nickel prices have surged to an eight-month high on
expectations of strong demand from top consumer China, supply concerns
and declining stockpiles. Notice the key words "expectations" , which
is based on speculation, "concerns" also based on speculation about the
Philippines, and declining stockpiles, based on something besides reality.
But no worry. We posted a link to a story yesterday, that announced the bull
market for metals was over. On that news, nickel bounced another 1.6%. This
is our last update for the week so we wish each of you a safe and relaxing
weekend.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.82/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
SO - Trump threatens to terminate NAFTA at campaign rally
Dollar, Europe Stocks Firm as Jackson Hole Arrives: Markets Wrap -
more
Nickel
surges on strong Chinese demand - Nickel prices have surged to an eight-month
high on expectations of strong demand from top consumer China, supply concerns
and declining stockpiles. -
more
Nickel price strengthens on both supply, demand fundamentals -
more
European
stainless steel surcharges halt falling trend in September - Monthly alloy
surcharges on austenitic grades of stainless steel flat-rolled products in
Europe are set to rise in September for the first time in five months on
higher nickel and molybdenum prices, first mill announcements indicated.
-
more
Nickel mining: the hidden environmental cost of electric cars - The
extraction of nickel, mainly mined in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Russia
and the Philippines, comes with environmental and health costs -
more
Indigenous workers at Voisey's Bay anxious about Vale review of nickel
operations - Global mining giant Vales decision to review its global
operations in light of depressed nickel prices is causing anxiety among
Indigenous workers at its Voiseys Bay mine in Labrador. -
more
BHP
nickel outlay signals confidence - Local stakeholders in Kwinana have welcomed
the news that BHPs Nickel West division is set to invest $US43.2 million
for a nickel sulphate project at its Kwinana refinery. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, August 23
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$5.18/lb
. Indicators
at 6:25 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.05/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose again on Tuesday and now
total just under the 386,000 tonne level. LME stockpile numbers are now only
427 tonnes shy of a record high for the year. The Euro is trading higher
this morning, which apparently is only helping nickel, with other base metals
trading much quieter. Nickel is currently trading at levels we haven't seen
since December of last year, and may be bump into strong resistance at $5.27/lb
very soon. Since July 10th, the traded price of nickel has risen 32%, and
technicals are mixed between overbought and buy. Fundamentals remain the
same with teh market apparently betting on news things in China may be picking
up, and hopes the public will rush to buy battery operated vehicles.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.80/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Robin Bhar, metals research at Societe Generale - "There's nothing really
fundamental to drive things onwards from here, so I think it's a bit of misplaced
euphoria and trend-following buyers jumping on the bandwagon"
(SO) Freight volumes on Chinas railways up 15.1 percent in January-July
Euro Gains on Strong Manufacturing Data; Oil Falls: Markets Wrap -
more
Gadfly:
The great metals rally of 2017 has come to an end - All good things must
come to an end and the great metals rally of 2017 is no exception.
Prices of key industrial metals on the Shanghai Futures Exchange slumped
on Wednesday, for no very obvious reason other than profit-taking. -
more
AK Steel
said today that it will increase base prices for all of its stainless steel
products, effective with shipments on September 3, 2017. For commodity sheet
and strip, specialty sheet and strip, and pipe and tube sheet and strip products,
the increase will be achieved through a reduction in the functional discount
of two percentage points. For all remaining stainless steel products, including
automotive sheet and strip, base prices will be increased by $40 per ton.
Sudbury
to get first crack at Ring of Fire nickel - Four northern Ontario cities
Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay are in the
running to be home to a ferrochrome smelter which will process chromite from
the Ring of Fire mineral deposit. -
more
Global
Nickel demand exceeds production by 60.3 kilo tons - Global Nickel market
was in deficit during January to June this year, with apparent demand exceeding
production by 60.3 kilo tons, according to the latest figures from World
Bureau of Metal Statistics. -
more
Miners
drive global share market gains on BHP's return to profit - BHP's return
to profit boosted European markets. Confidence was also helped by the big
miner's plan to sell off its US shale oil and gas division, which has cost
it multi-billion-dollar write-downs and much pressure from US activist hedge
fund Elliott, which has taken a 5 per cent stake in the company. -
more
Clive
Palmer in court to try and prevent asset freeze - Queensland Nickel's
taxpayer-funded liquidators want to adjourn an application to freeze Clive
Palmer's assets, to go through more than 3000 pages of documentation lodged
in the past two days. -
more
Queensland Nickel: Clive Palmer says suggestions he could offload assets
'absurd' -
more
Clive Palmer drops big names to show court he is a good Christian -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, August 22
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$5.13/lb
. Indicators at
6:30 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.06/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose on Monday and now total
just over the 385,500 tonne level. Stockpiles jumped up to 35% on Monday,
just in time to kick start another rally. At least one China metals analyst
believes the nickel rally is due to demand improvement in that country. September
stainless steel surcharges have been posted and are not as bad as we thought
- see them
here.
Comparing the ingredient prices one of the producers uses to determine their
surcharge, we see nickel averaged $.03/lb higher than it did for the February
surcharge, but the drop in ferrochrome from $1.65/lb back then to the current
$1.10/lb this month, made a big difference and helped surcharges come in
17% lower than they were for February. At least one stainless steel producer
in the US announced a base price increase yesterday as well. Nickel is now
trading at its highest for the year, and we are back to December 2016 levels.
And nickel stockpiles that LME reports every day - they are only 864 tonnes
shy of their highest for the year. None of this really matters. We have seen
the bull charge many times before, and our advise is stop trying to understand
'why' it is happening, rather jump on board or get out of the day and wait
the charge out. Oh and one last thought. The sky is falling daily barrage
from nickel miners about potential closures due to teh low prices - one nickel
miner in Australia announced it was profitable during the period prior to
this latest increase in nickel prices. Believe it or not.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.77/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Stocks Rebound in Thin Trading; Gold, Bonds Slide: Markets Wrap -
more
Base
Metals Extend Best Rally in Three Years on Growth Optimism - Industrial metals
extended their longest weekly rally in three years, with nickel pacing gains
and zinc reaching the highest in almost a decade as investors grew more
optimistic about the outlook for supply and demand. -
more
Press
Release North American Stainless - To Our Valued Customers, Due to rising
manufacturing and operational cost, it is necessary that NAS increase the
price on the following products effective with shipments September 1, 2017:
Cold Rolled 300 series, 200 series, and 400 series increase achieved
by reducing the functional discount 2 points. Polish extra increase
achieved by reducing the functional discount 10 points. Continuous
Mill Plate (CMP) increased by $60/ton ($.03/lb).Please note, all active requests
for quote will be subject to the price changes listed above. -
source
Western
Areas returns to profitability - Nickel miner Western Areas has returned
to profitability in 2017, as revenues increased. -
more
Visa
Steel suspends Kalinganagar operations as raw material supplies stop - Visa
Steel said it has gone for temporary suspension of all its operating units
at Kalinganagar as raw material supplies have been abruptly halted to its
plant. -
more
Ring
announcement fails to impress opposition - Development of the chromite-rich
Ring of Fire region in Northern Ontario is one step closer after the premier
announced Monday that agreements with First Nations are in place to start
road construction in the area. -
more
Super
cheap solar and why thats good for Australias mining sector
- Australias most pre-eminent solar researcher, Dr Martin Green, says
the cost of solar PV technology will fall substantially in coming years,
and while bad for the countrys thermal coal industry it will spell
good news for other Australian mineral and materials exports. -
more
Courtesy
AISI - In the week ending on August 19, 2017, domestic raw steel production
was 1,763,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 75.6 percent.
Production was 1,655,000 net tons in the week ending August 19, 2016 while
the capability utilization then was 70.8 percent. The current week production
represents a 6.5 percent increase from the same period in the previous year.
Production for the week ending August 19, 2017 is down 1.0 percent from the
previous week ending August 12, 2017 when production was 1,780,000 net tons
and the rate of capability utilization was 76.4 percent. -
source
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, August 21
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$4.98/lb
. Indicators
at 6:30 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.11/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Thursday and Friday and
start the week just under 384,600 tonnes. Cancelled warrants have been slipping
lately and are close to falling below the 30% level. This figure will need
to stabilize or start heading up to continue to support the spike in nickel
prices. Nickel prices ended Thursday slightly lower, but started another
round of price jumps on Friday, closing just shy of the psychological important
$11,000/tonne. That level is now in the rear view mirror and we can find
no particular reason for the jump Friday. There is a bull market going on
in all of the traded base metals, and some of the rise in nickel can be
attributed to renewed investor interest. The Baltic Dry Index is on
the rise, the Euro has stabilized the last few days, iron ore prices are
rising, and Chinese steel prices are trading just off record highs. Nearly
all of this is because caused by speculation. For those who are trading
bullishly, the market has been kind, Bears are n the wings, waiting for their
time. In the mean time, nickel miners are happy. Stainless steel producers
are not exactly unhappy. With the nickel prices rising with some consistency,
they are seeing their inventory increase in value every day. But those who
have been producing longer than a few months, know that what goes up, can
come down with equal emphasis, and the stainless steel industry is not a
fun one to be in when nickel prices start falling.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.75/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
AISI Comments on Trade Violations and Abuses -
more
Stocks Retreat as Focus Shifts to Central Bankers: Markets Wrap -
more
Metals
shine but world stocks stuck near 5-1/2-week low - World stocks struggled
at a 5-1/2-week low on Monday, though metals dazzled with zinc at its highest
in a decade, copper hitting a nearly three-year high and iron ore's gains
in the last two sessions stretching to 5 percent. -
more
Nickel Price Surges, But Market Remains Vulnerable - Nickel prices
staged a strong recovery over July and into early August. On August 9, the
nickel price had traded to an intraday high of US$10,835/tonne, a five-month
peak -
more
Global
Nickel demand exceeds production by 60.3 kilo tons - Global Nickel market
was in deficit during January to June this year, with apparent demand exceeding
production by 60.3 kilo tons, according to the latest figures from World
Bureau of Metal Statistics. -
more
Economic
Data Doesnt Add Up for Service Centers - The numbers are pretty staggering.
Through the first seven months of the year, the Institute for Supply
Managements PMI, the go-to read on the state of the industrial economy,
is reaching numbers the U.S. hasnt seen in years. -
more
Voisey's
Bay underground mine on hold - CBC News has learned plans to extend the life
of the Voisey's Bay nickel mine in northern Labrador by moving operations
underground already once delayed are now on hold. -
more
Visa
steel unit of Odisha on verge of closure! - Visa steel unit in Odisha is
likely to be shut down completely due to shortage of raw material in the
plant.
more
DMCI's Nickel shipments drop 71% - DMCI Mining Corp. reported a drastic
drop in nickel shipments during the first half of the year, as its two operating
subsidiaries remained suspended during the period. -
more
Qld
Nickel figures lose Federal Court bid - Two senior Queensland Nickel figures
have lost a Federal Court bid to avoid facing further questions about the
collapse of the nickel refinery. -
more
Why
Clive Palmer's assets have been dragged into the Queensland Nickel fight
- Clive Palmer, who could be forced to hand back almost $250m from his fallen
nickel business, has cashed out of the prime real estate that was the visible
tip of a fortune once put at $6.5bn. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, August 17
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$4.88/lb
. Indicators at
6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.01/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel held in LME licensed warehouses fell slightly on Wednesday and
now total just under the 385,200 tonne mark. Will LME copper trading at its
highest since Nov 2014, aluminum at its highest since September 2014, and
zinc trading at its highest since 2007, nickel's bull run, while impressive,
is not setting records at the pace of the the rest of the London base
metal complex. Al of these metals are taking a rest today, with metals trading
quietly as the US Dollar gains strength against the Euro today.
Chart here We show nickel bumping against resistance
at $4.89/lb today. industry news is on the light side again, which is typical
for August. Stainless steel surcharges for September should be announced
late next week or early the week after, but you can just about bet on an
increase, based on the trading price of nickel alone. Cash nickel has averaged
$4.73/lb so far this month, and we estimate that will move higher in the
days coming. If you go back to February of this year, nickel averaged $4.81/lb
for the month, and while ferrochrome was selling for a higher price back
then, if you need an early estimate, that would be where we recommend you
look for a close comparable estimate. This is our final update for the week,
so we wish each of you a safe and enjoyable weekend, and invite you back
next week for daily morning updates.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.73/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Is this the Start of a Hot New Metals Bull Market? -
more
Euro, Stocks Drop Before ECB Minutes; Bonds Gain: Markets Wrap -
more
Ravensthorpes silver lining - Businesses in the Shire of Ravensthorpe
remain optimistic as the local economy braces for the impact of the mothballing
of First Quantum Minerals nickel mine, saying it will not be as
catastrophic as the 2008 closure, when former owner BHP closed the mine and
sacked 1800 workers. -
more
40%
Of The Worlds Largest Mining Companies Are Now In Emerging Markets
- The mid-2014 commodity price crash spelled bad news for most commodity
miners. Over time, however, the markets have seen a recovery in most metals.
-
more
Why
Clive Palmer's assets have been dragged into the Queensland Nickel fight
- Clive Palmer, who could be forced to hand back almost $250m from his fallen
nickel business, has cashed out of the prime real estate that was the visible
tip of a fortune once put at $6.5bn. -
more
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, August 16
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$4.69/lb
. Indicators
at 6:30 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.11/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses rose for a second straight day
on Tuesday and now total just under the 385,600 tonne level. After three
days of declines, nickel appears to have decided it has retracted enough
and has resumed its bullish run. We are hesitant to post a resistance or
support since nickel seems to break thru resistance before we can publish
them but we will take a shot today. Put initial resistance at $4.89/lb and
if today's rally sticks, we put last night's $4.69/lb as support. Nearly
all the technical signals have returned to positive and on this rally, are
starting to prove themselves worthless to longer term traders. Instead of
being signals, they appear to be more a reflection of the days trend. Euro
is fairly stabile against the US Dollar. And the Baltic Dry Index is back
on the rise, for the believers. The nuclear rhetoric has died down, and markets
appear to be reacting positively.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.72/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Growth Outlook Boosts Europe Stocks; Dollar Steady: Markets Wrap -
more
Global nickel deficit narrows to 2,200 T in May INSG - A global
deficit of refined nickel narrowed in May to 2,200 tonnes from a revised
deficit of 5,200 tonnes the month before, data from the International Nickel
Study Group showed on Tuesday. -
more
Philippines H1 Nickel Ore Output Falls 24 Pct on Suspensions, Weather
- Nickel ore output in the Philippines, the world's top supplier, fell 24
percent in the first half of the year as several mines stopped operations
due to government sanctions and bad weather, the mining industry regulator
said on Tuesday (15/08). -
more
Strong
rouble, one-off expenses hit Russia's Nornickel's H1 earnings - Russia's
Norilsk Nickel reported a 3 percent fall in first-half core earnings on Tuesday,
missing analysts' forecasts, due to a stronger rouble and a jump in social
expenses. -
more
Miner's
withdrawal from Solomons prompts call for better regulation - The chair of
Solomon Islands' Chamber of Commerce has expressed regret over the withdrawal
of Japanese mining giant Sumitomo. -
more
Court to decide on international arrest warrant for SA businessman
- South African business tycoon Zunaid Moti in a high court
application has called on President Jacob Zuma and his government to
help him hold off an international arrest warrant for him -
more
Mystery Kyrgyzstani womans Clive Palmer payday - Clive Palmer
personally requested Queensland Nickels chief financial
officer to urgently funnel $1 million to mysterious Kyrgyzstani woman Evgenia
Bednova for the alleged purpose of representation fees in
November 2012, a court has heard. -
more
Clive Palmer accused of being 'less than frank' as liquidators seek to freeze
his assets -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, August 15
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$4.74/lb
. Indicators
at 6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around only slightly higher,
by far less than a percent. Stockpiles of nickel saw a huge jump yesterday
and now total just under the 384,300 tonne level. The high for the year was
back on March 15th at 386,400 tonnes, so the inability for these numbers
to drop with any consistency, casts serious doubt on those who are trying
to sell supply shortages in the futures. They will come - mining is a cyclical
industry. But there is little evidence shortages will affect the market
anytime soon. Industry market news dried up today, and the Australian Palmer
soap opera is about the only thing we could link to. Nickel looks vulnerable,
with technical signals pointing south, but the Euro is showing signs of stability
against the US Dollar so.....?
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.72/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
ENSO neutral likely for the remainder of 2017 -
more
Dollar Extends Gain as Havens Slump; Bonds Decline: Markets Wrap -
more
Layoff
talk premature, Bertrand says - Vale may have to make some hard decisions
in coming months regarding its operations in Sudbury, but the head of a local
union says it's premature to talk about job losses. -
more
Courtesy
AISI - In the week ending on August 12, 2017, domestic raw steel production
was 1,780,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 76.4 percent.
Production was 1,655,000 net tons in the week ending August 12, 2016 while
the capability utilization then was 70.8 percent. The current week production
represents a 7.6 percent increase from the same period in the previous year.
Production for the week ending August 12, 2017 is up 1.0 percent from the
previous week ending August 5, 2017 when production was 1,762,000 net tons
and the rate of capability utilization was 75.6 percent. -
source
Clive
Palmers status as a National Living Treasure questioned
after Qld Nickel collapse - There are growing calls for fallen businessman
Clive Palmer to be stripped of his National Living Treasure title
in the wake of his behaviour after the collapse of Queensland Nickel. -
more
Clive Palmer still a national treasure, NSW National Trust says -
more
Clive Mensink asked Clive Palmers aid for help with cruises -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, August 14
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$4.84/lb
. Indicators
at 6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose sharply on Thursday and
fell back on Friday to start the week just shy of the 375,300 tonne level.
Nickel dropped on Friday, giving back its prior two days of gains, as the
nuclear sword rattling from North Korea and the US, rattled traders nerves.
Nickel continues to trade lower this morning, but its range remains above
its 10 day MVA. Nearly all of the technical indicators have now turned negative.
Vale Canada's union has advised they have been advised of potential lay-off's
coming in light of low nickel pricing. Lot of talk lately about potential
mine closures and lay-offs, but nickel stockpiles held in LME warehouses
have yet to show any serious affect on world supply. Thank you for joining
us today and we hope your week is profitable.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.72/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Chinese Steel prices to correct down as market fever cools down -
more
You have been warned. Risks mount for China steel, iron ore: Russell -
more
Stocks Bounce and Havens Drop as Korea Fears Abate: Markets Wrap -
more
Nickel
slides as investors shun risk - Nickel and other base metals have slumped
as investors shunned risky assets amid tensions on the Korean peninsula and
secured profits after a recent rally. -
more
DENR
orders nickel miner to stop operations - The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) to Ipilan
Nickel Corp. (INC) for operating without an environmental compliance certificate
(ECC). -
more
BHP
Billiton to ramp up WA nickel sulphite production for booming battery market
- Mining giant BHP Billitons Nickel West business has approved a huge
expansion of its operations at Kwinana in Western Australia. -
more
Vale
looking at layoffs in Sudbury - Vale Ltd. employees in Sudbury are bracing
for possible layoffs after viewing a company video in recent days they say
warned that the Brazil-based mining giant could soon be making cuts. -
more
Afarak Swings To Second Quarter Profit After Higher Ferrochrome Prices
- Afarak Group PLC on Friday said it swung to a second quarter profit following
higher ferrochrome prices. -
more
Sumitomo withdrawal a setback to the industry: SICCI - The Solomon Islands
Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) has expressed regret over the
withdrawal of Japanese nickel mining giant Sumitomo Metal Mining, and called
for improvement to the regulatory policies for incoming investors and businesses.
-
more
Environmental politics hurting Palawan : 25-year-old law
failed to protect Palawan from destructive development projects - Is Palawan
safe from destructive development projects? Apparently not, even with Republic
Act (RA) 7611, or the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act,
in effect for a quarter of a century now. -
more
Hope
not lost in Hopetoun as it suffers through job losses for a second time -
It is a body blow that would have other country towns struggling to stay
on their feet but Hopetoun has been through worse. -
more
No.
13 2017/2018 Dangers of Carrying Nickel Ore from Indonesia and the
Philippines Mandatory Notification Requirements (re-issued) - The
liquefaction of such cargoes has resulted in the sinking of a number of ships
with a loss of many lives in the last 18 months. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, August 10
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$4.88/lb
. Indicators at
6:10 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.04/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just under the 374,400 tonne level. The media is all abuzz with the news
that Ravensthorpe is shutting down and that BHP is chasing the EV nickel
business. This potential effect on supply, and at the same time, forecasting
an expansion in demand, is helping keep the bull market alive, and adding
a little dance to its step starting late yesterday. These are both stories
we brought you yesterday, and the mainstream media is catching up. We have
established $5.00/lb as the next line of resistance, only because prior lines
have been passed faster than we can publish them. Here is where we are at
in comparison to the year so far. Nickel averaged a high of $4.81/lb in February
and a low of $4.16/lb in May. For the first six months of the year, it averaged
$4.43/lb. It traded for $5.06/lb at one point on February 20th, which is
probably a better line of resistance, and we show that for the high this
year. It has traded as high as $5.29/lb back in November of last year, which
we show as the last12 month trading high. The Euro has taken a noticeable
hit this past week, with no effect on nickel trading. The nuclear sabre rattling
yesterday hit world equity markets, but nickel seemed to join gold in safe
haven buying. Nothing seems to be getting in the way of this bull run, and
the only way to escape a stampede is not to get in its path. For sellers
of nickel, the increase in price is a breath of fresh air. For buyers, not
so much. Stainless steel products, which had seen some nice price decreases
earlier this year, started rebounding last month, and will continue to do
so. Love it, or hate it - the bull is in charge. We hope you find your weekend
a restfuil and pleasant one, and hope to see you back next week. Thank you
for visiting with us.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.68/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Europe Stocks Track Asia Losses; Dollar, Oil Climb: Markets Wrap -
more
Elon Musk Inspires World's Top Miner to Target Electric Vehicle Boom
- Observations by Tesla Inc.s Elon Musk on the key role nickel plays
in the electric vehicle boom helped inspire the worlds top miner BHP
Billiton Ltd. to invest in new capacity to target rising demand. -
more
Glencore thrives amid best commodity market in six years
- Glencore delivered as widely expected for the six months ended June 30
declaring a $500m dividend after hauling in net debt a further $1.6bn to
$13.9bn. -
more
Vale
Indonesia struggles to find nickel smelter partners after rule change - CEO
- Nickel producer Vale Indonesia said Indonesia's recent policy shift to
allow ore exports is helping keep global prices of the metal low, and
complicating efforts to establish partnerships for new smelter investments.
-
more
Forbes
puts Magnit, Norilsk Nickel on most innovative firms list - Russian retailer
Magnit and metals giant Norilsk Nickel were put on Forbes list of the
worlds 100 most innovative companies, according to a statement on
Forbes Web site seen by PRIME late Wednesday. -
more
Citic
Pacific blocked from accessing Clive Palmers Mineralogy financial records
- Clive Palmer has won a bid to block court rival Citic Pacific from gaining
access to his flagship company Mineralogys books. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, August 9
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$4.82/lb
. Indicators at
6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.01/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose on Tuesday and started the
day just over the 374,500 tonne level. The warnings of potential nickel closures
has been met by rising nickel prices so as expected, more nickel mines have
joined the chorus. Australia's Ravensthorpe actually did announce they will
be on care and maintenance in the next few months, after reopening in 2011.
We suggest keeping an eye on the Euro, which has been on the climb against
the US Dollar since mid April, but is showing signs of a potential hiccup
the last few days. With the Euro higher, base metals are less expensive to
traders, and any change in that could put pressure on nickel's current bull
market. Current traded prices of nickel are back to March levels, and there
has been little evidence a bear might rear his head anytime soon. That is,
unless the nuclear saber rattling intensifies. Technicals continue to be
bullish. Stockpiles remain ahead of where they were at the beginning of the
year, but off 2017 highs.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.65/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Havens Jump on North Korea Tension; Stocks Slide: Markets Wrap -
more
BHP
to tap into battery market with big nickel sulphate facility in WA - BHP
Billiton has approved $US43.2 million in funding to develop the first stage
of the world's largest nickel sulphate facility in a bid to tap into the
rapidly growing lithium-ion battery supply chain. -
more
BHP to build worlds largest nickel sulfate plant as EV market eyed
-
more
Environment body voids permit of Palawan mine - An environment regulatory
agency revoked a special permit it issued to a nickel mining company operating
in southern Palawan in the wake of controversies hounding the firm. -
more
New
Caledonia Vale's nickel plant fuels fear of mass lay-offs - Unions in New
Caledonia fear that the Vale nickel plant could close within half a year
and trigger the biggest wave of job losses the territory has seen. -
more
First
Quantum Minerals To Suspend Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations - Quick Facts
- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM.TO) announced Wednesday its intention to
suspend operations at its Ravensthorpe nickel operation, in Western Australia,
and place it on care and maintenance at the beginning of September 2017 due
to the persistently low nickel price. -
more
Low
Nickel Price, Vale Indonesia Scraps Smelter Construction Plan? - Vale Indonesia,
Indonesia's largest nickel producer, may need to scrap its plan to build
a USD $500 million smelter in Bahodopi (South Sulawesi) as its strategic
Chinese partner, for now, backed away from the project due to falling nickel
prices. Initially both sides agreed to form a joint venture for the establishment
of the smelter. -
more
Over
70 firms eye BCL assets - Provisional liquidator Nigel Dixon-Warren, who
can only be confirmed as final liquidator by the creditors at their next
meeting, said there has been positive response from interested parties on
BCL as evidenced by a lot of enquiries coming in. -
more
Indian
investor snaps up 70pc Zim-Alloys stake - An unnamed Indian investor will
snap up a 70 percent stake in Zimbabwes second largest ferro-chrome
producer Zim-Alloys after judicial manager Reggie Saruchera sealed a deal
for a $90 million investment. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, August 8
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$4.72/lb
. Indicators
at 6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Monday and now total
just under the 374,000 tonne level. Nickel rose yesterday but has retreated
this morning, and is currently trading near the 10 day MVA. Faling below
this could sne d anegative signal to traders, so I suspect a strong attempt
to stay above this level today. The 30 day MVA is more important and is around
$4.39/lb and climbing at the moment. According to the ISSF, worldwide stainless
steel production for the first three months of 2017 was way up. And
Interpol has joined the worldwide search for Clive Mensink
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.65/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
New solid lubricant shown to reduce friction and wear on steel surfaces -
more
G20 Strengthens its Position on Global Steel Excess Capacity -
more
Steel Import Decision Coming Fairly Soon, says Donald Trump -
more
Euro Extends Gain as Stocks Struggle; Gold Climbs: Markets Wrap -
more
LME
Ni Average Price in July Up by 6% from Prior Month = It shows strong upward
trend from middle of month, and month-end inventory is up = LME monthly average
nickel price in July 2017 was Cash seller: US$9,481.67 per ton (US$4.301
per lb) and 3-month seller: US$9,529.52 per ton (US$4.323 per lb). -
more
Stainless Steel Production Reached 10.3 Million Metric Tons in the
First Three Months of 2016 - The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF)
has released figures for the first three months of 2017 showing that stainless
steel melt shop production increased by 14.5% yearonyear to 11.8
million metric tons. -
more
New
Caledonia's nickel sector shaken up, 5,000 jobs in danger - "That's 5,000
employees and that means 10,000 people who need to be fed", a unionist Pascal
Pujapujane told New Caledonia's television station after the latest briefing
by the Vale leadership. -
more
Nickel
and copper production up sharply in Monchegorsk - In Monchegorsk, productions
of salable nickel is up 38% year-on-year from first half of 2016 to first
half of 2017, the company informs. 74,568 tons of nickel was produced at
the factory in Monchegorsk from January to June this year. -
more
Sumitomo
Metal Mining exits Solomon Islands nickel exploration project - Japan's Sumitomo
Metal Mining Co Ltd. said on Tuesday it will exit from a nickel exploration
project in the Solomon Islands because of slumping nickel prices and the
loss of a legal dispute over mining rights in the country. -
more
Courtesy
AISI - In the week ending on August 5, 2017, domestic raw steel production
was 1,762,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 75.6 percent.
Production was 1,658,000 net tons in the week ending August 5, 2016 while
the capability utilization then was 70.9 percent. The current week production
represents a 6.3 percent increase from the same period in the previous year.
Production for the week ending August 5, 2017 is down 0.4 percent from the
previous week ending July 29, 2017 when production was 1,769,000 net tons
and the rate of capability utilization was 75.9 percent. -
more
Interpol joins search for Clive Mensink over Queensland Nickel collapse
- Interpol has been asked to help search for former Queensland Nickel director
Clive Mensink who is wanted to give evidence over the collapse of the company
last year, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. -
more
Clive Palmer's empire was spending $1 million a year on Brisbane headquarters
-
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, August 7
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$4.65/lb
. Indicators
at 6:20 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.01/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses stalled on Thursday and rose
sharply on Friday to start this week just under the 375,300 tonne level.
Nickel gave back a few days gains on Friday, and is looking for a direction
today. The slide helped clean up some of the technical signal confusion and
most markers are positive again today, although some show an overbought market.
In todays trading so far, the price of nickel is finding resistance at $4.71/lb
and support at $4.65/lb. One of the world's largest meetings for miners is
going on this week in Kalgoorlie, West Australia. The Diggers and Dealers
mining conference tends to produce a few nuggets of information, although
trading is 'typically' subdued for the first few days. Its the start of a
new week and we hope yours is profitable.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.64/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Diggers and Dealers: This abnormal glistening golden era cant
last, warns former World Bank president Robert Zoellick -
more
Euro Shrugs Off German Data to Rise; Crude Drops: Markets Wrap -
more
Nickel rallies but still seeking a coherent narrative: Andy Home -
The nickel price has rallied by almost 18 percent over the last month. -
more
'Less
attractive price environment' looms for stainless scrap - Global: Stainless
scrap values are currently 'on the high side relative to primary raw materials'
and so there is 'a high probability of a less attractive price environment
during the third and fourth quarters', concludes Joost Van Kleef, chairman
of the BIR world recycling organisation's stainless steel & special alloys
committee. -
more
Duterte meets miners in Malacañang - President Rodrigo Duterte
lived up to his promise to personally meet with mining companies to impress
upon them his requirement that they conduct responsible mining operations.
-
more
Uncertainty lingers at Vale in New Caledonia - Unions were briefed
by the local Vale head Daryush Khoshneviss upon his return from the company's
headquarters in Brazil. -
more
Mnangagwa
in dodgy project - Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is entangled in a
multi-million dollar chrome deal involving dodgy South African investors
illegally granted permission to import fuel duty-free under the guise they
are running a project with national status, investigations by the Zimbabwe
Independent have shown. -
more
LME seeks consensus to cut rents for storing metal - The London Metal
Exchange is seeking agreement from its network of metal warehouse owners
to cut the rents charged for storage, which could boost the amounts of metal
registered under LME warrant and improve transparency. -
more
Clive
Palmer moves Titanic II treasures to Gold Coast resort - Its not quite shuffling
deck chairs on the Titanic, but embattled tycoon Clive Palmer is shifting
his treasures - including items from his ill-fated replica of the world's
most famous ship - as liquidators circle his assets. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, August 3
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$4.69/lb
. Indicators at
6:30 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.02/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just under the 373,100 tonne level. Technical indicators have turned negative
this morning, but we aren't smart enough to know why - just passing on the
info. While slightly off at the moment, the Euro continues to climb against
the US Dollar, which is adding momentum to base metals trading. This is our
last update for the week, and we hope each of you has a safe and enjoyable
weekend.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.62/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
U.S. commodity funds post biggest outflows of 2017 -ICI -
more
Worlds first robotic selective plating station developed -
more
AISI Releases July SIMA Imports Data; Import Market Share 28 percent in July
-
more
Stocks Retreat From Record; Euro Cools, Gold Slips: Markets Wrap -
more
Asian
battery makers eye nickel top-up as cobalt price bites - Soaring cobalt prices
are prompting Asia's top battery makers to tweak the recipe for lithium-ion
batteries used to power electric cars and mobile phones - reducing the amount
of cobalt and adding more nickel. -
more
Duterte threatens to impose minerals export ban - Manila President
Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has said he is considering a ban on mineral
exports to promote development of related downstream industries, rattling
investors anew. -
more
Glencore's Production Volumes of Ni, Co & FA in Apr-Jun - On July
27, Glencore plc announced its production volumes in the period from April
to June in 2017, of which the Company's production volumes in the division
of ferroalloys (ferro-chrome, vanadium pentoxide, ferro-manganese and
silico-manganese), in the division of nickel (nickel, nickel concentrates
and ferro-nickel) and in the division of cobalt (including the volume produced
from raw materials supplied by the third party) are as shown in the table
below. -
more
I'm not going anywhere: Clive Palmer teases at a comeback
as government fights to freeze his assets - Colourful businessman Clive Palmer
has said he is not concerned at all about moves by Federal Government
liquidators to freeze his assets and that he is even tempted
to think about a return to politics. -
more
Mining
microbes could unlock wealth, clean tailings - With luck, ingenuity and some
scientific know-how, Sudbury's tailings ponds could become a new source nickel,
copper and zinc. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, August 2
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$4.67/lb
. Indicators at
6:30 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.01/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose on Tuesday and now total
just under the 373,400 tonne level. Technical indicators remain bullish,
but traders have calmed the rise down so far this week, staying on the positive
side, but not with the same degree of enthusiasm as we saw throughout July.
Having busted thru the 200 day moving average last Friday, market gains have
decelerated. The nickel market got hit with a tri-facto of potential bad
news yesterday, all from teh supply side. First, the Philippines announced
the open pit ban would stay in place, which will affect nickel ore miners
there. Second, Vale continues down talking its nickel division in favor of
copper. And Norilsk mined a lot less nickel in the second quarter than they
initially planned and said this will adversely affect their annual production.
Eramet announced it cost them $5.17/lb to produce nickel in the first
half of the year in their New Caledonia operation, and with the average selling
price at $4.34/lb, you can see the problems the miners are having. Even today,
miners like Eramet are still losing money.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.61/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Reuters metals morning - Aluminium up on expected capacity cuts, but caution
warranted - Aluminium prices rose on Wednesday on buying from investors expecting
capacity cuts in top producer China, but analysts say supplies may not fall
significantly as any cuts could be offset by new capacity. -
more
Commodity Dip, Euro Gains Hit Stocks; Gold Drops: Markets Wrap -
more
Metals
slip as patchy US economic reports spur profit-taking - London metals slipped
on Wednesday on profit-taking in much of the complex following several patchy
U.S. economic reports, although otherwise solid global growth reports and
a weaker dollar underpinned prices. -
more
MEPS
Predicts New World Record Stainless Steel Output in 2017 - Global crude stainless
steel production is predicted to reach a new record annual total of 48.5
million tonnes, in 2017. -
more
Govt
plans strategic disinvestment of Salem Steel Plant - The government is planning
strategic disinvestment of the Salem steel plant (SSP) in Tamil Nadu and
not total disinvestment, the Lok Sabha was informed today. -
more
Norilsk
Nickel pushes for transaction breakthrough with BCL - Norilsk Nickel has
been committed to exiting from its African assets Tati nickel mine
in Botswana and Nkomati nickel mine in South Africa since October
2013. -
more
How to choose the right stainless steel grade? - With over more than
150 stainless steel grades and numerous products to look over, its
smooth to get stressed. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, August 1
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(7:00 AM CST is 12 PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$4.66/lb
. Indicators
at 6:30 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.01/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell the last three working days
and start today just over the 372,900 tonne level. July was a net gain month,
with nearly 1500 tonnes added to LME monitored stockpiles. The gain for the
year is less - only around 900 tonnes. We add this info to remind our readers
that the doom and gloom warnings coming from nickel miners is to be expected,
and if we want to see some of these inventory numbers drop, some of the miners
are going to have to shut down some mine production. The price of nickel
averaged $4.36/lb for all of last year, and is at $4.65/lb today, so last
quarter was rough, but if these traded prices hold, then some of these warnings
should be silenced. But we are in a bull run, and miners like to sound the
alarm during bullish run's, in an attempt to squeeze every bit of gains they
can. Technical signals remain mixed, with a few sell signals popping up,
but that may only be because the market is slightly lower this morning. The
market punched thru nickel's 200 day MVA on Thursday and is using it for
support today. China's manufacturing PMI came in lower than expected at 51.4,
down from 51.7 in June. Manufacturing appears to be slowing but construction
in China is said to be booming again, which, if true, will help support nickel's
bullish turn.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - (avg July - $4.30/lb)
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2017(1st half) - $4.43/lb / 2016 -
$4.36/lb / 2015 - $5.37/lb / 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
China iron ore, steel soar on environmental inspections, strong demand -
more
NASS PR - For the month of August 2017, North American Stainless will maintain
the fuel surcharge of 19% for stainless flat and long products.
SO - CISA mills' average daily crude steel output up 0.44% in mid-July
US Steel market outlook clouded by Section 232 -
more
Stocks Gain as Earnings Roll In; Dollar Steadies: Markets Wrap -
more
Copper
in, nickel out - Vale - Brazilian miner Vale SA said on Thursday it would
seek out fresh copper mining options and stop expanding nickel production
capacity after second-quarter net income plunged on forex losses, rising
costs and weaker iron ore prices. -
more
Eramet plans more nickel cost cuts, to target lower grades - Eramet
pledged further cost cuts after its nickel division suffered more losses
in the first half of the year and said it would shift strategy by entering
the lower-grade nickel pig iron market via a mining project in Indonesia.
-
more
Open
pit mining ban to stay - Cimatu - The order banning all prospective open-pit
mines in the country will still be in effect and will be discussed at the
interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council, Environment Secretary Roy
Cimatu said. -
more
Russia's
Nornickel confirms 2017 output forecast due to strong Q2 - Russia's Norilsk
Nickel (Nornickel), the world's second-largest nickel and the largest palladium
producer, has confirmed its previous 2017 output forecast on Monday after
a strong second quarter. -
more
Sudbury's
mine tailings worth billions - There is money to be made - and saved - by
finding new, environmentally friendly ways to deal with mine tailings in
Sudbury and across Ontario. -
more
Ravensthorpe nickel mine gloom - Doubt continues to linger over First
Quantums Ravensthorpe nickel mine after the company announced a second
quarterly loss for 2017. -
more
Indonesian govt recommends nickel ore export permits for 2 mln T -
Indonesia's energy and mining ministry has recommended that two companies
be issued nickel export permits for a combined 2 million tonnes, an official
said on Tuesday. -
more
Unprocessed Mineral Export Ban - In his 2017 SONA, Pres. Duterte
threatened, among others, to stop the export of unprocessed mining products.
This follows the ban on similar products in 2014 by Indonesia. -
more
China's Jun
ferromoly exports dip 10.2% on month with stronger domestic sales - China's
ferromoly exports continued to dip in June, down 10.2% on month to 806 mt,
as the domestic price was much higher and thus attractive to sellers, market
sources said Monday. -
more
House
bill could aid Twin Metals - Congressional action could breathe new life
into the Twin Metals Minnesota copper-nickel mining project. -
more
Govt
to dispatch team to resolve chrome disputes - Fierce jostling over chrome
mining claims has gripped the Midlands province as calls intensify for Government
to intervene and restore sanity in the sector. -
more
Vale's
Production Volumes of Mn Ore, FA, Ni and Co in Apr-Jun 2017 - On July 20,
Vale S. A., a major resource company in Brazil announced its production volumes
of manganese ore, ferroalloys, nickel and cobalt in the period from April
to June in 2017. -
more
Courtesy
AISI - In the week ending on July 29, 2017, domestic raw steel production
was 1,769,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 75.9 percent.
Production was 1,667,000 net tons in the week ending July 29, 2016 while
the capability utilization then was 71.3 percent. The current week production
represents a 6.1 percent increase from the same period in the previous year.
Production for the week ending July 29, 2017 is down 0.2 percent from the
previous week ending July 22, 2017 when production was 1,773,000 net tons
and the rate of capability utilization was 76.1 percent. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
"A Guide To LME
Trading"...pdf here(all ton listings are metric
tons = 2204.622 pounds ) Updated Monday thru Thursday before 8 am CST -
DisclaimerOriginal content and opinions copyright
www.estainlesssteel.com. All prices shown on this page
are indications only. Note - For real time and official LME prices, LME requires
a user subscribe to an authorized LME vendor.