Stainless Steel: Expect Price Hikes In March
The stainless steel market had a good start in the first two months of the year, with surcharges having been revised upwards on the back of higher chrome ore prices. In our last chrome ore report, released on the 17th of February, we noted that given the uncertainty in the chrome ore market, we were uncertain […]
Chrome Market: Difficult to Gauge Direction
Since September 2016, chrome ore prices have had a good run. This came on the back of Turkey chrome ore producers halting production and refusing to supply China and bankruptcies in South Africa, resulting in limited output. The net effect was that chrome prices nearly doubled and have remained elevated. For example, in South Africa […]
Blockchain: The Path to a More Transparent Mining Supply Chain?
This article first appeared on Mining Technology Blockchain is a continuously growing list of records logged in a decentralised, immutable, cryptographically secured online ledger. All information recorded on the platform is peer-to-peer validated and therefore can’t be corrupted without others quickly becoming aware. One of the main benefits of blockchain – a process developed more […]
Interview With International Chrome Development Association (ICDA)
Core Consultants speaks to the ICDA about the current market conditions in the chrome and ferrochrome industry, their upcoming industry event in Kazakhstan and what delegates can expect. 1. To what extent do you think the environmental inspections and clamp downs in China will affect the ferrochrome industry? Do you expect that the Chinese environmental […]
Why Is Iron Ore Defying Gravity?
Why s iron ore defying gravity? This is the question I was asked over the weekend. My answer? I don’t see it as defying gravity at all. Oscillating wildly, certainly, but defying gravity? No! The trend in my opinion is definitely consistent with gravity laws- down! The benchmark of 62.5% fines increased to $81.2/tonne earlier […]
Galaxy Begins Shipping Lithium from Mt. Cattlin
This article first appeared on InvestorIntel on the 12th December 2016. It features some of my thoughts on Galaxy Lithium and the latest shipping from Mt. Cattlin. 16 November– Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) (“Galaxy”) commences ore commissioning and lithium concentrate production 22 November – Galaxy awards Mt. Cattlin Mining Contract 29 November– Galaxy nominates first […]
Ferrochrome Waking Up From An Eight Year Nightmare
Merafe published its European ferrochrome benchmark for 1Q17 at $1.65/lb, up from $1.10 in the fourth quarter. These higher prices loook like they’ve been accepted by consumers, in particular, the Chinese stainless steelmakers. At a price of $1.65, this will translate to around $1.50/lb, CIF, which means there is still $0.15/lb on the upperside. The […]
The Internet of Things
The Internet of things: Can Machines Save South Africa’s Mines? This a sobering presentation for the South African mining industry. It is raw, honest and calls to action mining participants to tackle the industry head-on. The presentation was initially presented at ELB’s Open Day in the first half of 2015 to a select group of […]
Does China Intend To Own ALL The World’s Rare Earths?
Core Consultants has just released its December rare earth report- the last report for 2016! It has certainly been a controversial year for the rare earth industry not least with policy changes within China, false starts as regards stockpiling and the finalisation of China’s six mega rare earth entities. Molycorp has gone bankrupt and Lynas […]
Institutional Challenges Overshadow Zambia And DRC
David Creamer, CEO of Core Africa and Lara Smith were interviewed by Nadine James from Mining Weekly regarding the challenges facing mining in the DRC and Zambia. These jurisdictions are famous for their copper assets, but socioeconomic challenges, political and legislative issues continue to undermine development in these regions. Read the article below, or click […]