During the week of June 12-18, the operating rate of enamelled wire industry machines rebounded WoW...

BHP is reportedly advancing plans to sell approximately US$1.5 billion worth of power transmission assets in Chile, including around 1,000 km of transmission lines supplying electricity to its Escondida, Spence and Cerro Colorado copper operations. According to media reports, the transaction could be completed as early as this year, although the final structure and potential buyers are still under review. The move as part of BHP’s broader strategy to streamline its portfolio and focus on core commodities such as copper. The company has continued to expand its copper exposure through projects including the Vicuña copper district development in Argentina, driven by growing demand linked to electrification and the energy transition.

[Destocking Logic Continues to Materialize, Macro Pressure Caps Aluminum Price Upside] SMM maintains its forecast that inventory will fall to around 1.28 million mt by late June, and is expected to further approach 1.2 million mt by end‑June/early July, providing some support for aluminum prices. However, China’s high inventory pressure remains relatively evident, and with the current bearish macro sentiment dominating the market, domestic aluminum prices will mainly fluctuate in consolidation in the short term.

Tianci Materials announced that Phase II of its project for 30,000 tpy lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), 6,000 tpy high-purity lithium fluoride and integrated supporting facilities has completed construction, equipment installation and commissioning. The trial production plan has passed expert review and trial operations are expected to commence shortly. The Phase II project is designed to add 15,000 tpy of LiPF6 capacity. Upon commissioning, the company's total LiPF6 production capacity will increase to 52,000 tpy.

[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Ore Prices Continue to Fall, Market Expectations Bearish] June 17, 2026 – The ferrochrome and chrome ore markets fluctuated slightly...

SMM June 17: [SMM] On June 17, SMM A00 aluminum (Foshan) stood at 23,840, up 50, a discount of 90 to the front-month contract, flat (unit: yuan/mt) Today, futures edged up slightly, while spot aluminum in South China turned from strong to weak. Tight arrivals and significant destocking provided bottom support for holders. In the morning, they continued the pace of holding prices firm and raising them; however, the spot-futures price spread remained at a relatively high level. As the short holiday approached, risk-averse sentiment to liquidate gradually intensified, boosting selling enthusiasm and further easing circulation. Mainstream quotations were at premiums of 0 to +10 yuan/mt, and in practice, some small discounts had already emerged. Demand side, downstream rush-to-buy restocking demand was moderate, providing some absorption; traders' willingness to enter the market turned lower, only accepting relatively low-priced cargoes, with limited overall replenishment momentum. The momentum mismatched between the two sides, making transactions less than ideal. Spot transaction prices concentrated at premiums of -110 to -70 yuan/mt against the SHFE aluminum 2607 contract.