Russia’s Solikamsk Magnesium Works recently launched industrialised production of magnesium alloys containing rare earth elements such as neodymium, cerium, and lanthanum. The products combine lightweight properties with high strength and are mainly targeted at sectors including aerospace and automotive manufacturing. The plant accounts for 100% of Russia’s rare earth compound production and 75% of its magnesium capacity, and this capacity expansion further consolidates its position in the strategic metals sector. Meanwhile, the “magnesium-based hydrogen slurry” technology developed by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute has sparked controversy. Independent analysis indicated that the technology’s overall system efficiency is only about 10, its energy density is comparable to that of lithium batteries, its cost is far higher than expectations, and its recycling chain has yet to form a closed loop. It is only suitable for demonstration scenarios at the hundred-watt level and is unlikely to achieve commercial application. The two pieces of news reflect the different technological pathways and industrialisation prospects of magnesium-based materials in high-end manufacturing and energy storage.

Entering June, the market trend of molybdenum remains highly noticeable. At the beginning of the month, bidding prices of mainstream mines were successively finalized, with ore prices still maintaining a high upward trend. On June 4th, a mine in Jiangxi tendered and sold molybdenum concentrate with a grade of 45%-50%, with a transaction price of 3,865 yuan/ton-degree. Additionally, on June 6th, a mine in Henan sold molybdenum concentrate with a grade of 50% and above offline, with a transaction price of 3,870 yuan/ton-degree. What about the future market?

[SMM Analysis: Molybdenum Ore Bidding Prices Rise Again, Molybdenum Market to Fluctuate at Highs in Short Term] As June began, the molybdenum market continued to attract significant attention. Early in the month, the bidding prices of mainstream mines were successively finalized, with ore prices maintaining an upward trend at highs. On June 4, a mine in Jiangxi tendered the sale of molybdenum concentrate with a grade of 45%-50%, achieving a transaction price of 3,865 yuan/mtu. Additionally, on June 6, a mine in Henan conducted an offline sale of molybdenum concentrate with a grade of 50% and above, achieving a transaction price of 3,870 yuan/mtu. What lies ahead for the market?

The Canadian labor union has called on the country to resist the escalating tariff threats from Trump. Lana Payne, president of Unifor, Canada's largest private-sector union, said that investments in Canada's steel and aluminum industries have been hit by tariffs, leading to job losses and economic instability. The union has called for retaliatory tariffs on US steel and aluminum and measures to prevent dumping. Meanwhile, it has suggested suspending the export of strategic metals to the US and establishing reserves.

The market rebounded with fluctuations throughout the day yesterday, with the three major indices rising slightly. The total trading volume in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets reached 1.14 trillion yuan, up 2.23 billion yuan from the previous trading day. Sector-wise, beauty and personal care, soccer concepts, innovative drugs, and pet economy sectors led the gains, while automobile manufacturing, steel, baijiu, and coal sectors lagged. At the close, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.43%, the Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.16%, and the ChiNext Index advanced 0.48%. In today's brokerage morning meetings, China Securities noted that molybdenum and tungsten prices continue to rise, highlighting investment opportunities in strategic metals. CICC suggested the yuan may still have room to appreciate against the US dollar. Huatai Securities indicated that the imminent reduction in policy interest rates is expected to lower costs for the insurance industry. China Securities: Molybdenum and Tungsten Prices Continue to Rise, Highlighting Strategic Metal Investment Opportunities China Securities stated that since the beginning of the year, strategic metals such as antimony, bismuth, tungsten, and molybdenum have seen successive price increases. In recent years, the price center of strategic minor metals has shown a significant upward trend, primarily due to increasing resource scarcity and supply rigidity, demand-side benefits from new energy, advanced materials, manufacturing upgrades, and military development, coupled with critical mineral resources becoming a new "battleground" in global competition. China Securities remains optimistic about the value reversion and stock valuation reassessment of China's dominant strategic mineral resources, recommending attention to strategic metal investment opportunities. CICC: Yuan May Still Have Room to Appreciate Against the US Dollar CICC noted that, in the medium and long term, the US dollar still holds a pivotal position in global reserves, but geopolitical and economic changes pose challenges. In the short term, the US faces "twin deficits" in fiscal and trade balances, particularly rising pressure from treasury bond issuance, suggesting the depreciation pressure on the US dollar may not be fully released. On the other hand, China's financial cycle adjustment is slowing while technological progress accelerates, and potential US dollar depreciation could strengthen the motivation to settle accumulated foreign exchange from current account surpluses in recent years, supporting the yuan's exchange rate. Huatai Securities: Imminent Policy Interest Rate Reduction Expected to Lower Insurance Industry Costs Huatai Securities believes the recent yuan appreciation expectations and mutual fund reforms have boosted liquidity in both A and H markets, driving up insurance stocks. Fundamentally, under the dynamic adjustment mechanism for policy interest rates, life insurance product rates are expected to be lowered in Q3 this year, improving the cost-profit inversion since early this year and potentially enhancing overall sales momentum. Currently, insurance stock valuations are at historically low levels, with persistently low interest rates remaining the biggest factor suppressing life insurers' valuations. Even though concerns about interest spread losses persist, the insurance sector is still likely to achieve decent returns in H2 amid improved liquidity and fundamentals. Huatai Securities values the importance of asset-liability matching.

2025 Southeast Asia Tin Industry Conference – Indonesia Mining Conference & Critical Metals Forum will be held from June 3-5, 2025 at Pullman Jakarta Central Park, Indonesia ! The exhibition has invited Yunnan Tin Co., Ltd., Huawei Digital Power, Merck, Intertek, Nickel Institute and over 40 premium exhibitors from domestic and international markets to participate, with a display area of 6,000 m² , expected to attract 1,600+ professional guests and visitors from 35+ countries/regions ! The conference features four specialized sessions on tin, nickel-cobalt-lithium new energy, aluminum, and coal , covering the entire industry chain, plus special sessions including "How Solar & ESS Revolutionize Indonesia's Mining Industry", press conferences, and salons . Nearly 90 government officials from various countries will deliver keynote speeches, with Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs serving as the governmental supporter. Floor plans and exhibitor lists are now available – discover which global companies are participating! Scan the QR code for event details 0 1 Entry Procedure: ① Scan the above QR code , complete visitor pre-registration ② Receive admission SMS containing visitor code before the event ③ Check-in at registration desk , scan code to enter exhibition hall 0 2 Visitor vs. Delegate Benefits: ① Visitor benefits: Exhibition area access; ② Delegate benefits: Exhibition access, full conference pass, exclusive cocktail dinner invitation, SMM 1-on-1 meeting system access, conference materials, etc. 0 3 Visa Reminder: ① Is visa-on-arrival acceptable? Local visa centers indicate that for hotel-based business events, it's possible but risky ; – Recommended to apply for business visa C2 (single entry)/ D2 (multiple entries within 1 year) to avoid unnecessary risks from random checks; ② Application methods? a. Self-application DIY on the official website; more materials are required. For C2, in addition to passport, electronic photo of ID, and personal information, applicants need to provide a 3-month bank statement and an invitation letter for the event. The price is approximately 915 yuan (for reference only; the actual price may vary). D2 is more complex. Processing time: 4-7 days b. Agency-assisted application Fewer materials are required; only passport photos and ID photos are needed, which applies to both C2 and D2. The prices are approximately 1,400 yuan and 3,500 yuan, respectively (for reference only; the actual price may vary). Exhibition Hall Layout and Functional Areas Exhibitor List Scan the QR code to view conference details 2025 Speakers Tin Conference Agenda - June 4 08:00-08:50 Registration 08:55-09:00 [Individual Speech] - Opening Remarks 09:05-09:10 [Individual Speech] - Opening Remarks 09:10-09:30 [Individual Speech] - Development Trends of China's Tin Market 09:30-09:50 [Roundtable Discussion] - Future Development of Indonesia's Tin Industry Policies 09:50-10:10 [Individual Speech] - Innovation for Sustainable Development: Arsari Tambang's Vision for the Future of the Green Critical Minerals Industry 10:10-10:30 Tea Break 10:30-10:50 [Individual Speech] - The Role of the Futures Market in Enhancing the Resilience of the Tin Supply Chain 10:50-11:10 [Individual Speech] - Changes in Indonesia's Tin Industry Policies and Their Impact on the Global Market 11:10-11:30 [Individual Speech] - Changes and Impacts of Indonesia's Tin Ore Export Policies 11:30-11:50 [Individual Speech] - Trade, Tariffs, Taxes, and Restrictions on Strategic Metals in the New Reality 11:50-13:30 Lunch 13:30-13:50 [Individual Speech] - Risks and Countermeasures in the Tin Commodity Market under the New Situation 13:50-14:10 [Individual Speech] - From Resources to Markets: The Role and Value of the Entire Industry Chain of Tin Ingots 14:10-14:30 [Individual Speech] - Growth in Tin Production in Bolivia 14:30-15:30 [Roundtable Discussion] - The Role of Southeast Asia's Tin Industry in the "Belt and Road" Initiative 15:30-15:55 Tea Break 15:55-16:15 [Individual Speech] - Analysis of the Current Situation and Development Prospects of the African Tin Ore Market 16:15-16:35 [Individual Speech] - Leading the Future of Tin: Adapting to the Changing Global Landscape 16:35-16:55 [Individual Speech] - Analysis of the Current Supply Situation and Policy Impacts of Myanmar's Tin Mines 16:55-17:20 [Individual Speech] - Application Prospects of Spiral Chute Separation Technology in Tin Mines 17:50-20:00 Buffet Dinner Conference Schedule Overview Day 1 13:00-18:10 Government Speeches Session 12:00-18:00 Exhibition Area Open Hours Day 2 09:00-17:00 Nickel-Cobalt and NEV Forum 09:00-17:10 Coal Industry Forum 09:00-16:45 Aluminum Industry Forum 09:00-17:10 Tin Industry Forum 10:00-18:00 Exhibition Area Open Hours Day 3 09:00-17:00 Nickel-Cobalt and NEV Forum 09:00-11:50 Coal Industry Forum 09:00-11:40 Tin Industry Forum 09:00-16:00 Exhibition Area Open Hours Scan the QR code to view conference details