On July 29, the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) held a press conference on the H1 2026 performance of the nonferrous metals industry, both in-person and online. Chen Xuesen, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee, Vice President and Spokesperson of CNIA, reported on the industry's H1 performance and answered questions from media and enterprise representatives together with relevant department heads. Chen Xuesen stated that the industry's overall operation was stable and improving, with growth in multiple core indicators including production, investment, foreign trade, prices, and profitability. First, production of major varieties grew steadily, while new energy metals diverged. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that total production of ten nonferrous metals in H1 reached 41.513 million mt, up 3.3% YoY. Among the 23 nonferrous metal products monitored, production of 13 products increased YoY, while that of 10 products fell YoY. Production and sales of traditional bulk metals were stable with slight gains: copper cathode output was 7.608 million mt (up 5.2%), copper semis 11.982 million mt (up 0.3%), alumina 45.772 million mt (up 3.3%), and primary aluminum 23.187 million mt (up 3.8%). However, upstream mines and downstream processing sectors faced periodic pressure: metal content of six mined metals was 2.955 million mt (down 5.8%) and aluminum semis production was 32.303 million mt (down 2.4%). Industry value-added grew 0.3% in H1, with value-added of the mining and beneficiation sector up 3.2% and that of smelting and processing edging down 0.3%. Production of key new energy metals diverged: silicon metal output was 2.231 million mt (up 2.5% YoY); lithium carbonate capacity release was significant, with production at 563,000 mt (surging 33.9% YoY); refined nickel and refined cobalt output contracted to 221,000 mt and 60,000 mt, down 4.8% and 41.8% YoY respectively. Second, fixed asset investment edged up, with prominent investment vitality in the mining and beneficiation sector. The growth rate of fixed asset investment in the industry narrowed significantly from Q1 in H1. On one hand, project construction progress was constrained by high temperatures and heavy rainfall in some regions; on the other hand, resource constraints became prominent and capacity "involution" intensified, so enterprises had weak willingness for medium and long-term capital expansion domestically and turned more to overseas markets. Overall, the industry's fixed asset investment edged up only 0.4% YoY, down 10.3 percentage points from the Q1 growth rate, with notable sector divergence: investment in nonferrous metals mining and beneficiation rose 21.2%, while investment in smelting and processing declined 4.1%. Private investment was under pressure overall, with industry private investment down 1.0% YoY in H1. By sector, private investment in smelting, rolling and processing fell 3.0%, while that in mine mining and beneficiation grew 8.1%, becoming the main driver of private investment in the industry. Third, foreign trade scale surged significantly, and gold products became the core engine of trade growth. Amid sluggish global economic recovery and intertwined geopolitical turmoil, the industry's foreign trade saw improvements in both volume and quality, with import and export scale expanding substantially. Customs data showed that in H1, total imports and exports of nonferrous metal products reached $347.13 billion, up 68.0% YoY. Specifically, import value was $280.91 billion, up 81.7%, driven mainly by gold products, while export value was $66.22 billion, up 27.3%. The share of gold product imports and exports in the industry's total trade rose to 41.8%, playing a prominent role in boosting overall foreign trade. Bulk raw material imports and exports showed mixed changes. Among them, imports of copper ores and concentrates were 14.61 million mt, down 0.9% YoY, while bauxite imports were 120 million mt, up 17.4%. Imports and exports of copper and aluminum semis showed a pattern of "reduced imports and increased exports." Specifically, imports of unwrought copper and copper semis were 2.49 million mt, down 5.3%, while exports were 879,000 mt, up 18.2%; imports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum semis were 1.88 million mt, down 5.1%, while exports were 3.396 million mt, up 16.3%. In addition, exports of aluminum products (including aluminum alloy wheel hubs) were 2.576 million mt, up 16.4%. Foreign trade in new energy metals continued to gain momentum. Specifically, lithium carbonate imports were 179,000 mt, up 52.3% YoY, silicon metal exports were 379,000 mt, up 11.4%, and unwrought nickel exports contracted sharply to 12,000 mt, down 86.9%. Fourth, market prices consolidated at high levels, with most product prices falling back MoM in June. Affected by overseas resource monopolies and the transmission of geopolitical conflict premiums, major nonferrous metal prices stayed high in H1, but the high prices also forced downstream enterprises to advance material substitution, which to some extent squeezed the industry's demand growth space. In June, market prices saw a phased correction, with 17 of the 24 products monitored by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) seeing MoM declines. In terms of H1 average prices, seven products declined YoY, but mainstream products such as copper, aluminum, gold, zinc, tungsten and molybdenum saw price increases. In the domestic spot market in H1, among traditional metals, apart from lead, whose average price was 16,649 yuan/mt, down 1.5% YoY, copper averaged 101,964 yuan/mt, up 31.4%, aluminum averaged 24,124 yuan/mt, up 18.8%, zinc averaged 24,276 yuan/mt, edging up 4.2%, while for precious metals, the average spot gold price was 1,058.4 yuan/g, up 45.9%, and silver averaged 19.7 yuan/g, surging 141.1%. New energy metals showed divergent price changes, with the average price of silicon metal at 9,079 yuan/mt, down 10.7%; battery-grade lithium carbonate at 159,000 yuan/mt, surging 128.1%; nickel at 142,000 yuan/mt, up 12.5%; and cobalt at 417,000 yuan/mt, up 101.5%. Fifth, industry profits increased significantly, with the smelting segment becoming the core pillar of profitability. In H1, the profitability of the industry achieved a leap-forward improvement. The 12,362 enterprises above designated size recorded total operating revenue of 5,769.68 billion yuan, up 21.7% YoY, and total profit of 418.39 billion yuan, up 94.0% YoY. The profit growth accounted for 32.6% of the total profit growth of industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide, boosting the total profit growth of national designated industrial enterprises by 6.1 percentage points, ranking among the top in the industrial sector in terms of profit growth rate. Meanwhile, cost control showed positive results, with the cost per hundred yuan of operating revenue for the above-designated-size enterprises at 90.0 yuan, down 2.7 yuan YoY. The sharp profit increase was driven by multiple favorable factors resonating together: First, tight ore supply and rising scarcity premiums pushed profits toward upstream mines. Second, emerging industries such as AI computing infrastructure, power batteries, energy storage, and NEVs continued to release rigid demand, strongly supporting non-ferrous metal product prices and market demand. Third, geopolitical conflicts periodically pushed up aluminum and sulphuric acid prices, generating phased profit gains; combined with the low price base in H1 2025, these factors jointly drove a sharp YoY increase in profits this year. The profit structure of the industry chain showed a pattern of smelting leading, mining following, and processing being relatively weak. The contribution rates of the mining, smelting, and processing segments to industry profit growth were 23.6%, 65.5%, and 11.0%, respectively, boosting industry profit growth by 22.1, 61.6, and 10.3 percentage points. The profitability difference across the industry chain was significant, with operating profit margins for mining, smelting, and processing standing at 40.6%, 8.9%, and 2.0%, respectively, up 10.3, 3.4, and 0.7 percentage points YoY. The profit increase in the smelting segment was 132.74 billion yuan, accounting for 65.5% of the industry’s profit growth. Aluminum smelting and gold smelting contributed 56.7% and 17.3% of the profit increase in the smelting segment, making them the main drivers of profit growth in the segment. By product, the aluminum sector had the most prominent boosting effect, with a profit growth contribution rate of 43.5%. Dividends from supply-side structural reform in aluminum continued to be released, and global supply tightened due to geopolitical disruptions, pushing aluminum prices persistently higher. The contribution rates of gold, copper, and tungsten & molybdenum were 13.0%, 13.6%, and 9.0%, respectively. Together, these four categories contributed 79% of the industry’s profit growth, becoming the main force behind the profit rise. Profits in only two categories, antimony and silicon metal, were under pressure, while all other metal types achieved positive revenue increases. Chen Xuesen pointed out that since this year, the industry has demonstrated strong development resilience under the dual tests of external risk shocks and internal structural constraints. H1 operations presented three features: support from emerging industry demand, synchronized improvement in industry volume, price, and profit, diversified expansion of overseas resource deployment and continuous improvement of international resource guarantee systems, and prominent domestic resource supply constraints, with primary ores and recycled resources synergistically shoring up weaknesses. Taking all factors into account, the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) makes the following projections for the industry's 2026 trajectory: H2 nonferrous industry value-added growth rate is expected to be higher than H1, with a full-year industry value-added growth rate of 2%~3%; production of ten nonferrous metals for the full year is up about 3% YoY; major nonferrous metal prices will swing wildly at highs, with geopolitical situations, downstream demand, and overseas supply being the core variables driving price fluctuations; total import and export value will maintain growth for the full year, with import growth being higher, driven by high-price resource procurement and safe-haven demand; exports of copper and aluminum semis and products possess stable resilience, continuing to provide support for stable foreign trade exports; full-year industry operating revenue and total profit remain up YoY, but revenue and profit growth rates will pull back in H2, with the growth rates showing a pattern of stronger first half and weaker second half; the profit allocation pattern remains unchanged, profit advantage at the resource end remains solid, and except for aluminum smelting, the room for profit improvement in other types of smelting and processing is relatively limited. Chen Xuesen stated that in the next step, the industry will closely follow the deployment and requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, focusing on three core tasks: strengthening the resource security baseline, expanding the recycled resource circular industry, accelerating the green and low-carbon transition and proactively addressing international green trade barriers, and cultivating new development momentum and activating enterprise innovation vitality. Multiple measures will be taken to solidify the foundations of the industry chain and supply chain, promoting both quality and efficiency improvements. (China Nonferrous Metals News)

As the global green transition and the "dual carbon" goals advance further, the nonferrous metals industry is accelerating its shift toward low-carbon, smart, and high-end development. South China, as a core industry hub, boasts a well-established industry chain, outstanding resource endowments, and strong policy support, generating robust development momentum. Hosted by SMM, the is scheduled to be held from September 9 to 11 in Nanning, Guangxi. Centered on five key topics—price trends, market outlook, trade environment, policy direction, and low-carbon technology—the conference serves as a high-end industry platform for exchange and collaboration. Geely Baikuang Group Co., Ltd. sincerely invites colleagues from all sectors to gather in Nanning, join in this grand event, and jointly promote technological innovation and digital-intelligent transformation, helping enterprises seize opportunities and tackle challenges, and driving the high-quality development of the nonferrous metals industry. Click the to sign up and attend now! Booth No.: B6 Unleashing the Value of Resources for Sustainable Social Development Geely Technology Group was founded in 2017 and is affiliated with Geely Holding Group. It consistently adheres to the development philosophy of "innovation-driven, industry-based," advancing the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and the growth of strategic emerging industries through technological innovation. The Group has four core industries: new materials (resources), motorcycle smart manufacturing, the low-altitude economy, and power and AI semiconductors, with strategic investments in commercial aerospace, new energy, and other businesses. It continues to strengthen its industry ecosystem advantages and consistently delivers valuable products and services to society. Currently, the Group's annual output value exceeds 100 billion yuan, with a workforce of more than 20,000. Geely Baikuang Group is an important member of the Fortune Global 500 company Geely Holding Group and one of the core enterprises in the new materials (resources) sector of Geely Technology Group. Its business spans multiple fields, including coal, electric power, aluminum, carbon, deep aluminum processing, and ecological manganese. Guangxi Baiming New Materials Co., Ltd. 's 50kt annual capacity project for electrical round aluminum rod represents a critical strategic initiative by Geely Baikuang Group, leveraging its existing liquid aluminum capacity to extend the aluminum industry chain and enhance product added value. It is also a concrete practice of the Group's active response to the strategic deployment for the "second entrepreneurial push" of the aluminum industry by the Autonomous Region and Baise City, while deepening supply-side structural reform. As a vital link in the circular development of Baise's eco-aluminum industry, this project will further optimize the regional aluminum industry layout, promote the efficient local conversion of resources, and strengthen the industry's overall competitiveness. The project is situated within the Longlin Aluminum Plant, part of the Gui-Qian (Longlin) Economic and Industrial Cooperation Park in Mugu Village, Pingban Town, Longlin Various Ethnic Groups Autonomous County. There, it fully leverages the raw material advantage of the Longlin Aluminum Plant's existing liquid aluminum capacity, facilitating the direct supply and conversion of nearby liquid aluminum, thereby significantly reducing remelting energy consumption and production costs. Total project investment is approximately 14.2 million yuan. Once completed and in operation, it is expected to form a production capacity of 50,000 mt per year of electrical round aluminum rod, achieve an annual output value of about 1 billion yuan, and generate annual tax revenue of approximately 2 million yuan. Company's Main Products The electrical round aluminum rods cover mainstream alloy designations such as 1A60, 1370, 1350, 8030, 8R76, 6201, and 8A07 high-conductivity rod, and specifications include wire diameters of Ø9.5, Ø12, Ø15, etc. They are widely used in conductor manufacturing for power cables and fiber optic cables, as well as in electromagnetic wire, enamelled wire, and air-conditioning condenser tubes, providing high-performance materials for motors, transformers, electronic components, and NEV parts, thereby strengthening the foundation for power and signal transmission. The project introduces smart integrated equipment, integrates multiple processes, and precisely controls aluminum semis processing, practicing the principles of high quality, low energy consumption, high efficiency, and sustainability, breaking through traditional limitations, and supporting the green and low-carbon development of China’s aluminum industry. Aluminum Processing Industry The aluminum processing industry is a key breakthrough sector for Geely Baikuang Group to achieve transformation and upgrading. It shoulders the major mission of extending Guangxi’s aluminum industry “second startup” toward advanced aluminum processing. Currently, it includes aluminum wheel hubs, refined aluminum, etc. The aluminum wheel hub project relies on Geely’s systematic advantages in the automotive industry and enjoys huge market demand. For the 10-million-unit-per-year aluminum alloy wheel hub project, Phase I with 5.2 million wheel hubs was launched into production in 2021. Refined aluminum has completed construction of 10,000 mt capacity, with aluminum purity reaching 99.99%, mainly applied in high-tech fields such as electronics and aerospace. At the same time, Geely Baikuang Group is establishing an integrated system covering R&D, production, and sales, and advancing the construction of the aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil project and the production base for NEV all-aluminum vehicle-supporting aluminum products and parts, to meet the huge demand for aluminum-based composite materials from the NEV industry, enrich Baise’s aluminum industry structure, and promote the high-quality development of Guangxi’s aluminum industry second startup. Manganese Industry The manganese industry is an emerging industry of Geely Baikuang Group, currently including manganese carbonate ore, electrolytic manganese metal, etc. The Geely Baikuang Jingxi Ecological Manganese Industry Integrated Park is one of the important manganese ore industrial bases in Guangxi and even China, with existing manganese carbonate ore resources of 20 million mt, Envision reserves of 40 million mt, and an annual output of 330,000 mt of manganese carbonate ore; electrolytic manganese metal capacity of 60,000 mt has been completed and put into operation. Geely is vigorously promoting NEV production, and Geely Baikuang will actively transform and upgrade toward new energy battery manganese-based materials, providing raw materials to new energy battery enterprises. Aluminum Smelting Industry Contact Information Huang Xiaoma 18177800977 SMM Conference Contact Ding Weiquan 18029344837

In June the aluminum processing industry exhibited a pronounced divergence pattern of "external demand outperforming domestic demand, with the aluminum wire and cable industry unable to sustain the market on its own." Export orders, energy storage, UHV, and other areas provided structural support, but a combination of weak domestic consumption, wild swings in aluminum prices, and policy disruptions made it difficult for the overall industry sentiment to recover markedly in the short term.

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