HONG KONG, May 16 (Reuters) – China’s producers of nickel-pig-iron are racing to upgrade their facilities as reduced demand from stainless steelmills and weaker nickel prices drive them to cut costs.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/china-nickel-idUSL3N0DV2CI20130516
Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest palladium producer, expects the shortage of the precious metal to increase by 25 percent in 2013 due to a less supply.
http://rt.com/business/palladium-shortage-predicts-russia-194/
LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) – Copper edged up on Monday as weak Chinese factory data for April raised expectations the top metal consumer may embark on further monetary easing, which would underpin demand for metals.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/13/markets-metals-idUSL6N0DU1TP20130513
May 13 (Reuters) – Miner Glencore Xstrata said copper production rose 18 percent in the first quarter of 2013, as it ramps up new and expanded operations to substitute depleted mines and benefits from increased production in Congo.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/13/glencore-production-idUSWLB002V720130513
SYDNEY, May 3 (Reuters) – Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer is joining
Vale, Xstrata and other sector heavyweights pouring money into nickel despite a
dire near-term outlook for demand, as they plough on with projects bought on the
cheap or as part of corporate takeovers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/02/australia-nickel-idUSL3N0D67I220130502
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining giant BHP Billiton has reshuffled its management structure, with CEO for petroleum Mike Yeager announcing his retirement from the group management committee (GMC) and the company, effective July 1.
http://www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-reveals-new-management-structure-2013-04-18?
Despite weak short term demand and tough global economic conditions, long term supply constraints remain, which will lead eventually to higher commodity prices and significant rewards to companies that invest today, according to Deloitte and Industrial Info Resources.
Prices for iron ore, the main ingredient used to make steel, will probably average $139 a metric ton this year, down from a previous estimate of $144, Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a research report today. Analysts from Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank AG also have forecast lower prices this year.
MEYERTON (miningweekly.com) – South Africa’s Minerals Minister, Susan Shabangu, on Wednesday opened the largest operating furnace of its kind in the world at Samancor Manganese’s Metalloys smelter in Meyerton, allowing mining giant BHP Billiton to beneficiate close to 30% of the manganese ore it mines locally and demonstrate its support for increasing value addition and downstream job creation.
Glencore International Plc (GLEN), awaiting approval for its $35 billion takeover of Xstrata (XTA)Plc, will resume talks in coming days with China’s competition regulator on the influence the group will have in the copper market.
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