Exploration Spend
Comments of particular interest are noted with ‘*’.
Matau’s Comments:
- Australia – Exploration Expenditure Spending is recovering in both minerals and petroleum sectors.
- Base metal inventories continue to remain tight. In a broad sense not much has changed. Most prices are in the ‘nose of pinch-point graphs. Pinchpoint positions are mostly less than 1 week’s consumption. However sentiment (geopolitical) continues to drive prices over fundamentals. Nickel price is reacting strongly to threats of supply restrictions.
- Pinchpoint graphs have selective stories by (base metal) commodity, though most are fundamentally tight. Pb, Ni, Zn & Sn are in backwardation and Cu & Al are in contango.
- Outlook for base metals and battery minerals remains at ‘not enough’ new mine supply in coming years (the next decade), for several key commodities, particularly for EV sales growth.
SUMMARY
Copper China eased bank lending, but Cu price focussed more on USA-China trade talks.
Cobalt Co prices lifted on expected reduction to global supply.
Nickel Indonesia confirms it will ban Ni (laterite) ore exports. POS
Zinc & Lead The forecast Zn surplus appears elusive … with little sign to date. Supply disruptions. VXR
Tin Prices up on major producers’ announcements of cuts.
Aluminium Japanese Al premiums are down in recent negotiations.
Gold USA & China stated will work on fresh trade negotiations. Market does need meaningful outcomes.
Platinum & Palladium Investor demand for Pt has been ‘unprecedented’ in the June HY.
Oil Three factors that will determine the direction of oil prices in 2020.
Coal Settlements for Jun19Qtr – HCC & LVPCI.
Iron Ore Seaborne Fe ore price down as ore lump premiums drop.
Shipping Freight rates rise over major Asian routes.
General
Australia – Mineral & Petroleum Exploration Expenditure: The recovery continues.
USA – Purchasing Managers’ Index: almost all categories less than 50!