SMM Steel, February 24 – According to SMM statistics, the estimated total shipments to mainstream markets this week reached 302,700 mt, up 50.90% WoW. By market:

Solid-state batteries were a hot topic at the 2026 Two Sessions, where delegates noted that the industry is at a critical inflection point, moving from “samples” to “products.”

The 2026 SMM (3rd) Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit & Battery Recycling Forum will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from May 11–12, 2026. The summit aims to bring together leading global enterprises, research institutions, industry experts, and policymakers in the fields of renewable metals and battery recycling.

[China Iron Ore Brief Review: Iron Ore Concentrate Prices in Shandong May Have Some Upside Potential] In Shandong, 64-grade iron ore concentrates at mines and beneficiation plants were quoted at 882 yuan on a dry basis, before tax, with acceptance upon shipment from the mine. Most mines and beneficiation plants maintained normal production, and some mines showed reluctance to sell. Steel mills continued to purchase under long-term contracts and mainly operated with low inventory. Overall transactions were moderate. In the near term, steel mills in Hebei will gradually resume normal production, and some local iron ore concentrate resources will flow to Hebei. Overall local iron ore concentrate supply remains relatively tight, providing support for prices.

Ouyang Minggao pointed out that large-scale mass production of all-solid-state batteries will still require 3–5 years, with test vehicles expected to appear by the end of 2026. Sulphide electrolyte has fallen from 20 million/mt to the million-level range. However, he stressed that the technical difficulty is extremely high and advised consumers that they “need not wait,” as LFP batteries remain the “ballast stone” at present.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has opened its first gold refining facility, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to capture greater value from its vast mineral wealth.