Fujian Guangmin Copper Industry Co., Ltd.'s annual 35,000-ton cold-rolled high-precision copper strip project is striving for a strong start in the first quarter with solid efforts. The Fujian Guangmin Copper Cold-Rolled High-Precision Copper Strip Project is a key cooperation project between Guangdong and Longyan, with a total investment of 1 billion yuan.The project is being constructed in two phases: the first phase includes the construction of an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons of high-performance purple copper and brass high-precision strips and ancillary facilities, while the second phase involves the construction of an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons of high-copper alloy high-precision strips and related facilities.

On March 17, Rongbai Technology released the "Announcement Regarding the Adjustment of the Equity Structure of a Wholly-Owned Korean Subsidiary and Related Party Transactions," stating its intention to adjust the equity structure of its wholly-owned Korean subsidiary, Jaese Energy Co., Ltd., and to gradually sell the ternary cathode production capacity of Korea JS. This move aims to address challenges related to relevant uncertainties and enhance the company's core competitiveness for long-term participation in the North American lithium battery market, thereby avoiding significant idle overseas production capacity.

March 16, Yongzhen Co., Ltd. issued an announcement stating that the company plans to invest 480 million yuan to implement a "Technical Upgrading Project for the Annual Production of 70,000 Tons of Ultra-Wide Thin-Wall Flat Extruded Aluminum Profiles and Their Deep-Processed Products" at its existing plant in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. The project has a construction period of 12 months and is expected to commence on March 25. Through technological upgrades to the existing production lines, the company will achieve an annual production capacity of 70,000 tons of ultra-wide thin-walled flat extruded profiles. 40,000 tons of profiles will be used for deep processing, ultimately forming an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons of deep-processed products for new energy applications.

SMM, March 18: The most-traded SHFE lead 2604 contract opened at 16,695 yuan/mt during the day, with prices fluctuating rangebound in the 16,665–16,720 yuan/mt range in early trading. Before noon, SHFE lead prices rose rapidly and touched a high of 16,785 yuan/mt before pulling back amid fluctuations. The tug-of-war between longs and shorts intensified, and prices remained rangebound within 16,610–16,680 yuan/mt before closing at 16,645 yuan/mt, posting a small bullish candlestick, up 45 yuan/mt, or 0.27%. At present, lead prices have stopped falling and rebounded, gradually returning to being driven by fundamentals. On the supply side, ex-works inventory at primary lead smelters continued to be digested, and some suppliers held prices firm in spot lead shipments, providing relatively strong spot support; willingness to sell among secondary lead suppliers diverged, and most enterprises became more reluctant to sell due to losses combined with bullish expectations, leading to a continued contraction in effective market supply. On the demand side, orders from downstream battery plants increased, and production remained at full capacity, providing positive support for lead prices. However, social inventory of lead ingot is still on an upward trend. In addition, as more smelters resume production in mid-to-late March and capacity is gradually released, market circulation will further increase, and lead prices are expected to have limited upward momentum. Data source statement: Except for public information, all other data is processed and derived by SMM for reference only based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, and does not constitute decision-making advice.

Zhongli Co., Ltd. (603194.SH) announced that, to meet its business development needs, the company plans to invest 350 million yuan in the Zhejiang Anji Economic Development Zone to build a project with annual production capacity of 50,000 intelligent robots and 100,000 sets of forklift components and parts. The funding will come from self-raised funds, including its own funds and bank loans. The project will primarily engage in the R&D and manufacturing of intelligent robots and forklift components and parts equipment.

[China Iron Ore Brief Review: Tight Resources in West Liaoning, Local Ore Prices May Edge Up Slightly] The domestic ore market in west Liaoning was relatively stable, with the ex-factory prices of 66-grade iron ore concentrates, wet basis and excluding tax, at 730-740 yuan/mt. Supply and demand were clearly in a wait-and-see mode. Beneficiation plants, considering the relatively small inventory pressure, temporarily held back from selling. Against this backdrop, traders were not highly motivated to make inquiries, and only a few made price inquiries based on their own needs. Affected by safety and environmental protection inspections, mining was restricted, and a small number of operating beneficiation plants suspended production for maintenance due to constraints in ROM resources. Circulating spot resources remained tight, which still provided certain support for ore prices.