The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday raised its forecast for global oil demand this year, which will significantly boost oil demand this year after China optimizes its anti-epidemic policies.

The Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, the first auto show after the opening of the epidemic last week, was successfully concluded.

**In 2023, the lithium manganese oxide cathode material market in China experienced severe turmoil, with frequent price wars. Influenced by lithium carbonate prices, the price of lithium manganese oxide exhibited a "reverse U-shaped" trend throughout the year. The price of capacity-type lithium manganese oxide plummeted from a high of 137,000 yuan/ton at the beginning of the year to 54,000 yuan/ton in mid-to-late April, then rose to 98,000 yuan/ton in mid-to-late May, before steadily declining to 37,000 yuan/ton by the end of the year. Regarding production, compared to a low operating rate of 25% in 2022, the situation improved slightly in 2023, with an overall average operating rate of 39% for the year, mainly due to the relaxation of epidemic restrictions in 2023, leading to a relatively improved demand.**

The operating rate of zinc oxide this week was recorded at 59.77%, down 1.01% WoW. Currently, tyre factories are experiencing poor orders, and overcapacity is continuously compressing corporate profits. Tyre companies are seeing significant inventory buildup, and the demand for rubber-grade zinc oxide is weakening. The market demand for ceramic-grade zinc oxide remains relatively stable. In terms of feed-grade zinc oxide, overall orders are also relatively normal, but the recent severe epidemic diarrhea in the pig market may impact future feed-grade zinc oxide orders. Regarding export orders, the "rush to export" in the end-use market is not significant recently. On the contrary, tyre orders have weakened due to tariff issues.

The operating rate of zinc oxide this week was recorded at 59.77%, down 1.01% WoW. Currently, tyre factories are experiencing poor orders, and overcapacity is continuously compressing corporate profits. Tyre companies are seeing significant inventory buildup, and the demand for rubber-grade zinc oxide is weakening. The market demand for ceramic-grade zinc oxide remains relatively stable. In terms of feed-grade zinc oxide, overall orders are also relatively normal, but the recent severe epidemic diarrhea in the pig market may impact future feed-grade zinc oxide orders. Regarding export orders, the "rush to export" in the end-use market is not significant recently. On the contrary, tyre orders have weakened due to tariff issues.

According to the Mining.com, data released by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) shows that the country’s mining investment will reach 13.5 billion Canadian dollars in 2022, a record high in 10 years, an increase of 14% from the previous year. Mining investment also showed significant growth in 2023, which is expected to increase by 21% to 16.4 billion Canadian dollars.