Of particular interest this week:
– China’s forecast GDP growth rates.
– Zinc – Small-cap companies attracting funding.
– Coal – Mongolian coking coal supply disruption.
– Oil – crisis mooted if security in key mid-East producers is compromised.
– Iron Ore – China’s high cost producers could exit permanently if low ore prices are sustained for ~ two years.
SUMMARY
Copper – Peru is to become the world’s second largest copper producer, after Chile, and ahead of China.
Nickel – Glencore and Jinchuan are potential bidders for Nickel-West.
Zinc & Lead – EMX mandated a funding package for its Italian Zn project.
Tin – SRZ drilling extends known mineralisation at Heemskirk. .
Aluminium – Al market dynamics is improving.
Gold – Au prices forecast to soften (amid volatility) as global economic news improves.
Platinum & Palladium – Implats’ Zimbabwe (Bimha) project to close after an underground collapse.
Oil & Gas – Oil crisis feared if security in Iraq & Libya is compromised further. Kurdish oil tankers un-tracked.
Coal – Mongolian coking coal output disrupted. Indonesian (Mahakam) river levels are low.
Iron Ore – China’s high cost iron ore producers forecast to exit fully(?) if ore prices low for the next two years.
Shipping – Cape rates up in Asian markets.
General –
China’s GDP growth rate forecasts.
USA – Durable goods, Vehicles & Electronics Orders
Japan – Industrial production.