The Metalnomist
Independent metals/mining analyst covering offtakes (tungsten), new bauxite projects, DRC copper/cobalt supply and geopolitics; links to detailed writeups.
Codelco, Quiborax Secure Ascotan Lithium, Boost State Strategy
Codelco and Quiborax moved to secure lithium rights at Ascotan, deepening Chile’s state-led lithium strategy. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/codelco-lithium-ascotan-move-expands.html
Macquarie Ups Near‑Term Copper, Lithium Forecasts Amid Strong Financial Flows
Macquarie raised near-term copper and lithium forecasts as financial flows continue to outweigh soft physical signals. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/macquarie-near-term-copper-outlook.html
Capstone Ends Strike, Boosts Output Amid Tight 2026 Copper Market
Capstone ended the Mantoverde strike and began ramping output as copper markets stay tight in 2026. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/capstone-mantoverde-strike-ends-as.html
IMFA to Become India's Top Ferro‑chrome Producer
IMFA plans to raise ferro-chrome capacity to 534,000 t/yr, making it India’s largest producer. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/imfa-ferro-chrome-expansion-will.html
MBMA Hits 2025 Nickel Ore Target, Boosting Indonesia's Downstream Chain
MBMA met its 2025 nickel ore target as stronger mining output supported Indonesia’s expanding downstream nickel chain. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/merdeka-nickel-ore-production-hits.html
Renewables and Nuclear to Power Half of World by 2030
The IEA expects renewables and nuclear to provide half of global electricity by 2030 as power demand accelerates. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/clean-power-growth-will-reshape-global.html
Anglo Cuts 2026 Copper Outlook Amid Lower Collahuasi Grades
Anglo cut 2026 copper guidance as lower ore grades at Collahuasi weaken Chilean production expectations. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/anglo-2026-copper-guidance-falls-as.html
Brazil to Attract $21.3 Bn in Critical Minerals by 2030
Brazil critical minerals investment is projected to reach $21.3bn by 2030, led by copper, nickel, and rare earths. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/brazil-critical-minerals-investment.html
Serra Verde Secures $565M US‑Backed Funding for Brazil Rare‑Earth Expansion
Serra Verde secured $565mn in US-backed finance to expand Brazil’s rare earth production and strengthen diversified supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/serra-verde-rare-earth-financing.html
Macquarie Boosts 2026 Nickel Forecast Amid Tight Indonesian Supply
Macquarie raised its 2026 nickel forecast as Indonesia ore tightness and slower supply growth tighten market balance. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/macquarie-nickel-price-outlook-turns.html
ANM Clears Sigma Lithium Waste, Legal Doubts Linger
Brazil’s ANM cleared Sigma Lithium’s waste piles, but legal uncertainty still hangs over the mine. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/sigma-lithium-waste-piles-cleared-by.html
Machina Labs Secures $124M for AI‑Powered Aerospace Factory
Machina Labs raised $124mn to build an AI-driven factory for aluminum and titanium aerospace structures. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/machina-labs-aerospace-factory-signals.html
Japan Secures First Deep‑Sea Rare‑Earth Mud Deposit
Japan recovered its first deep-sea rare earth mud near Minamitorishima, advancing supply chain diversification efforts. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/japan-deep-sea-rare-earth-mining.html
Japan, Australia Forge Graphite Anode Supply Chain
Japan and Australia are building a graphite anode supply chain to strengthen battery materials security and reduce import dependence. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/japan-australia-graphite-anode-supply.html
Supra Secures $2M to Recycle Gallium, Scandium for US Supply
Supra launched with $2mn to develop gallium and scandium waste recovery technology for US critical mineral supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/gallium-and-scandium-waste-recovery.html
Kipushi Zinc to Boost US Critical Minerals Stockpile
Ivanhoe’s Kipushi zinc concentrate could support US critical minerals stockpiling through a proposed Mercuria and Gécamines deal. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/kipushi-zinc-concentrate-could-link-drc.html
Kloeckner Acquires Camalloy to Broaden US Metal Distribution
Kloeckner acquired Camalloy to expand aluminum and stainless steel distribution across key US industrial markets. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/kloeckner-camalloy-acquisition-expands.html
ATI Boosts Jet Engine Alloy Supply with New NC Furnace
ATI will add a new VIM furnace in North Carolina to expand nickel superalloy capacity for jet engine demand. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/ati-nickel-superalloy-capacity.html
Orion's $40bn DRC Deal Could Redefine Western Copper Supply
Orion’s possible 40pc purchase of Glencore’s DRC mines could reshape western copper and cobalt access. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/orion-glencore-drc-stake-sale-could.html
IEA Calls for Oil‑Style Security Framework for Critical Minerals
The IEA says critical mineral stockpiles need an oil-style security framework to reduce supply disruption risk. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/critical-mineral-stockpiles-need-oil.html
Trafigura Secures Major London Victory, Pursues Large Damages
Trafigura won a major London court ruling in its fake nickel cargo fraud case and will seek substantial damages. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/trafigura-nickel-fraud-ruling.html
Azur Space Boosts Solar Capacity 25% Amid AI‑Driven Satellite Surge
Azur Space plans a 25pc solar cell capacity increase in 2026 as satellite demand rises with AI growth. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/azur-space-solar-cell-expansion-signals.html
Solarcycle Launches Georgia Plant to Boost Solar Panel Recycling
Solarcycle opened a Georgia recycling plant that could strengthen solar panel recovery and recycled solar glass production. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/solarcycle-georgia-recycling-plant.html
US Supports 5N Plus Germanium Refinery Expansion in Utah
US backs 5N Plus to expand germanium refining in Utah and strengthen strategic domestic supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/us-germanium-refining-expansion-gains.html
Implats Keeps 1H26 PGM Output Flat, Zimbabwe Offsets SA Decline
Implats held PGM output nearly flat in 1H26 as Zimbabwe growth offset weaker South African mine performance. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/implats-pgm-output-holds-steady-as.html
Indonesia's Weda Bay Achieves On‑Spec MHP Production
BSE produced on-spec MHP at Weda Bay, marking a key HPAL commissioning step in Indonesia’s nickel battery chain. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/bse-on-spec-mhp-output-marks-new-step.html
Liontown Lithium Sales Surge 38% on Kathleen Ramp
Liontown lithium sales rose 38pc in 4Q 2025 as Kathleen Valley ramped up and auction pricing added upside. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/liontown-lithium-sales-jump-as-kathleen.html
Caterpillar Forecasts Robust 2026 Demand From Backlog, Energy, Mining
Caterpillar sees strong 2026 demand backed by a record order backlog, energy growth, and firmer mining equipment demand. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/caterpillar-2026-demand-outlook-turns.html
Trump's 25% Metal Tariff Reshapes Supply
Trump’s new metal tariff policy applies a 25pc flat rate on many derivative imports and reshapes downstream costs. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/trump-metal-tariff-policy-reshapes.html
Copper Turns Macro Hedge, Volatility Outpaces Fundamentals
Copper is increasingly trading like a macro hedge, raising volatility far beyond what near-term fundamentals imply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/copper-as-macro-hedge-is-rewriting.html
Glencore's 2025 Copper, Nickel Output Drops Amid Disruptions
Glencore’s 2025 copper and nickel output fell as lower grades, mine sequencing, and operational disruptions hit key assets. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/glencore-copper-and-nickel-output.html
China Launches First Provincial Critical Metals Group in Guangxi
China formed its first province-level critical metals group in Guangxi to strengthen control over strategic materials. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/china-critical-metals-group-signals.html
Tasmania Takes Liberty Bell Bay Ore After GFG Default
Tasmania seized control of Liberty Bell Bay ore after GFG defaulted on a restart loan. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/tasmania-takes-control-of-liberty-bell.html
Iluka Beats Output Target, Yet Prices Remain Weak
Iluka heavy minerals output beat 2025 guidance, but weak prices still cloud the mineral sands outlook. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/iluka-heavy-minerals-output-beats-2025.html
Bolivia Facility Bolsters US Antimony Flake Supply
US Antimony’s Bolivia processing facility could strengthen antimony flake supply and support new western hydrometallurgical capacity. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/us-antimony-bolivia-processing-facility.html
RTX Engine Deliveries Surge in 2026 Amid Airbus Ramp‑Up
RTX engine deliveries are set to rise in 2026 as Airbus ramp-up shifts output toward new aircraft builds. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/rtx-engine-deliveries-rise-as-airbus.html
European Lithium Adds Titanium Potential with Velta Acquisition
European Lithium’s Velta acquisition expands its critical minerals portfolio and adds new titanium production potential. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/european-lithium-velta-acquisition.html
Tight Indian Spot Supply Drives Ferro‑Chrome Auction Prices Up
Facor’s ferro-chrome auction drew sharply higher bids as tight Indian spot supply pushed prices above base levels. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/indian-ferro-chrome-auction-prices-rise.html
EU-India FTA Boosts Indian Aluminium, CBAM Still Caps Gains
The EU-India FTA may help Indian aluminium exports, but CBAM still limits the real upside. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/eu-india-fta-could-improve-indian.html
Molymet, Maritime House Launch Rhenium Recycling JV for Aerospace
Molymet and Maritime House plan a rhenium recycling JV to support aerospace demand and APR supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/molymet-maritime-house-rhenium.html
Boeing Ramps 737 MAX; Supplier Discipline Drives Recovery
Boeing’s 737 MAX output ramp is accelerating, but supplier discipline now defines the next phase of recovery. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/boeing-737-max-output-ramp-signals-new.html
Al Taweelah Outage Threatens UAE Aluminium, Bauxite, Freight Markets
Al Taweelah smelter damage raises new risks for UAE aluminium supply, bauxite flows, and Gulf freight markets. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/al-taweelah-smelter-damage-raises-new.html
EU‑India Deal Slashes Tariffs, CBAM Remains Intact
The EU-India trade deal cuts tariffs, but CBAM stays unchanged and keeps carbon compliance in focus. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/eu-india-fta-and-cbam-remain-on.html
Belfast Grant Boosts UK Rare‑Earth Recycling and Supply Resilience
The Belfast magnet recycling grant supports UK rare earth processing and strengthens local supply chain resilience. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/belfast-magnet-recycling-grant.html
SDI Accelerates 2026 Ramp-Up at Columbus Aluminum Mill
SDI expects a faster 2026 ramp-up at its Columbus aluminum mill as automotive product capability nears completion. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/sdi-aluminum-mill-ramp-up-accelerates.html
New Oklahoma Aluminum Smelter Set to Revamp U.S. Supply
Century and EGA plan a major Oklahoma aluminum smelter that could transform US primary metal supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/century-ega-oklahoma-aluminum-plant.html
US Funding Accelerates Domestic Heavy‑Rare‑Earth Magnet Supply Chain
USA Rare Earth funding could speed up a US mine-to-magnet supply chain for heavy rare earths and domestic magnets. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/usa-rare-earth-funding-could-accelerate.html
Indonesia's 2026 Nickel Quotas Tighten Feedstock, Not Oversupply
Indonesia nickel ore quotas may tighten feedstock supply in 2026 without solving oversupply in downstream nickel products. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/indonesia-nickel-ore-quotas-risk.html
Bosai's Indonesia Smelter Signals China's Overseas Capacity Surge
Bosai plans an Indonesia aluminium smelting project in East Java, highlighting China’s accelerating overseas capacity strategy. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/bosai-indonesia-aluminium-smelting.html
China Opens Nickel, Lithium Futures to Foreign Investors
China will open nickel and lithium futures to foreign investors, aiming to strengthen global metals pricing power. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/china-nickel-and-lithium-futures.html
