Of particular interest this week:
Steel: output improving slowly.
Gold: price likely to increase on Fed decision either way.
Coal HCC DecQtr negotiations tighten.
SUMMARY
Copper MOD – Cu in Botswana. MOD wants to fee the copper smelter Botswana wants to build.
Nickel Philippines mineral policies cracking down on non-compliance, but may delay.
Zinc & Lead VXR – Zn results. MCT – seeking JV for Admiral Bay. MTB – drill program for Kihabe, Botswana.
Tin Indonesia ICDX plans a bonded logistics centre. Still seeking to ‘control’ tin markets.
Aluminium China Hongqiao produced 33% more Al than its combined US rivals in 2015.
Gold History says that gold price actually rises more after an interest rate hike than after a cut.
Platinum & Palladium Forecast Pt deficit increased by 16%, in its fifth year of shortages.
Oil ‘Permian’ tight sands viable at USD 40/bbl, but shale oils need USD 60/bbl.
Coal Contracts for coking coal (DecQtr) and thermal coal (Oct annual) under negotiation.
Iron Ore Chinese steel demand not as high as expected for the summer, so expect a narrow price range.
Shipping Cape-size rates jumped on strong demand.
General
World Steel – output growing slowly, improving for the past several months.
Coking coal – key exporters and importers.
USA – Housing Starts – growth slowed considerably.
USA – Industrial Production – slow negative growth continues.