[SMM Aluminum Express News] Rio Tinto has partnered with the Queensland Government and Commonwealth Government to secure the long-term future of the Boyne aluminum smelter in Gladstone. The deal includes A$2 billion in government funding through 2040 and builds on Rio Tinto’s PPAs underpinning A$7.5 billion in new renewable energy and storage. It ensures Boyne Smelters Limited will remain cost-competitive and continue production beyond its current 2029 power contract as part of the Future Made in Australia.
Mar 25, 2026 09:53On Wednesday, March 25, Australia announced it will invest A$2 billion (US$1.4 billion) over 10 years to support the continued operation of Rio Tinto's Boyne smelter, the country's second-largest aluminum smelter. Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres stated that the investment, shared equally by the federal and Queensland governments, will bring nearly A$7.5 billion in new investment to Queensland, with Rio Tinto covering the energy asset investment. This financial support will ensure that Boyne Smelters Limited, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, continues aluminum production after its existing power contract expires in 2029, and at least until 2040.
Mar 25, 2026 11:35European smelters are purchasing less material and turning to export markets to manage inventories. Companies are becoming more cautious amid volatile market conditions.
Mar 24, 2026 09:25SMM, March 25: Overnight, LME lead opened at $1,895.5/mt. After the opening, prices quickly fell to $1,885.5/mt, and then fluctuate rangebound within the $1,888–1,896.5/mt range, with a balanced tug-of-war between longs and shorts and relatively cautious market sentiment. After 0:00, prices rose and broke above the previous trading range, hitting a high of $1,901/mt before closing at $1,898.5/mt. A small bullish candlestick was recorded, up $0/mt, or 0.0%. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE lead 2605 contract opened at a low of 16,420 yuan/mt. In early trading, SHFE lead prices rose rapidly, and then saw wide swings within the 16,440–16,481 yuan/mt range, with an evident tug-of-war between longs and shorts. Intraday volatility narrowed, with prices gradually stabilizing around 16,455–16,465 yuan/mt, while trading volume also pulled back and market sentiment turned cautious. Late in the session, SHFE lead again broke upward, hitting a high of 16,500 yuan/mt, then quickly pulled back to close at 16,470 yuan/mt. A small bullish candlestick was recorded, up 50 yuan/mt, or 0.3%. Supply side, primary lead smelters held firm offers, while spot premiums in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai edged up slightly, and quotes for primary lead smelter cargoes self-picked up from production site changed relatively little. Some secondary lead smelters had maintenance plans, and spot market circulating cargoes were limited. Demand side, downstream enterprises maintained purchasing as needed, but some engaged in more bargaining. In addition, as secondary lead prices were inverted against primary lead, spot order purchases tilted toward primary lead. According to SMM analysis, SHFE lead prices are likely to remain in the doldrums in the short term.
Mar 25, 2026 09:06On March 25, the SMM average price of battery-grade nickel sulphate remained stable.
Mar 25, 2026 13:05Silver prices rebounded and rose today, and the spot-futures price spread between TD and the most-traded SHFE silver contract narrowed. Some suppliers were reluctant to sell and stayed on the sidelines, while downstream buyers generally negotiated prices and bought the dip. In the Shanghai market, during early trading, mainstream quotations from holders of national-standard silver ingots were quoted at premiums of 100-150 yuan/kg against TD, or at premiums of 50-80 yuan/kg against the SHFE silver 2604 contract. Only a small volume was traded in early trading. As the spot-futures price spread narrowed and silver prices surged, downstream purchasing interest declined markedly. Although some suppliers were reluctant to sell and remained on the sidelines due to costs and other factors, some sellers in the market cut prices and sold at premiums of 0-20 yuan/kg against the 2604 contract. Spot market quotations varied widely, buyers and sellers engaged in intense bargaining, downstream enterprises made small-volume purchases on dips, and market transactions turned subdued.
Mar 25, 2026 12:04Dear User, To better serve upstream and downstream enterprises in the aluminum industry chain, assist the market in promptly grasping price dynamics of caustic soda—a key auxiliary material for alumina production—and meet the reference needs of various parties for 50% ionic membrane liquid caustic soda transactions and settlements in different regions, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), based on thorough market research and data accumulation, has decided to officially commence the daily publication of the " 50% Ion-membrane process caustic soda solution POT, ex-works Shanxi, China, VAT included, yuan/tonne " starting December 29, 2025. This will provide a fair and timely price reference for market transactions of this product. General Principles of SMM Price Methodology: Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a fully independent third-party service provider. SMM does not participate in any substantive transactions but maintains close communication with buyers or sellers in the market as an observer or organizer and provides related services to the market. SMM continuously develops, reviews, and revises its methodology through communication with industry professionals, adopting the most common product specifications, trade terms, and conditions within the industry. Equal importance is given to normal transactions that meet the standard specifications. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price information deemed less reliable or unrepresentative from its price assessments. SMM publishes daily metal spot prices (or price indices, including for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and global markets), commonly referred to as SMM Prices. SMM has established corresponding methodologies for all published SMM Prices (all of which are available for inquiry on SMM's official website news.metal.com ). These methodologies stipulate the methods and procedures for generating and publishing SMM Prices, which are strictly followed. To align with the actual conditions of the spot market, SMM will make necessary revisions to the SMM Price methodologies and will announce such revisions on the SMM official website before their formal implementation. For any questions or suggestions regarding SMM Prices and their methodologies, please contact SMM customer service (contact information can be found on SMM's official website news.metal.com ). Aluminum Team SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. December 26, 2025
PriceDec 26, 2025 14:04To better serve industrial clients and stay closer to the market, SMM is adding 6 new scrap copper price assessments for Japan/US regions, officially launching on 16/1/2026. 1. New Price Points Copper Scrap - East Asia - Japan Millberry CIF China - Japan Millberry CIF China Taiwan - Japan Millberry CIF Korea Copper Scrap - America - United States Millberry CIF Japan - United States No.1 Copper Material CIF Japan - United States No.2 Copper Material CIF Japan 2. SMM Price Methodology General Principles Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as "SMM") is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any actual transactions. Instead, SMM maintains close communication with buyers and sellers as a market observer or organizer and provides related services to the market. This document sets forth the standards for SMM's East Asia and US scrap copper price assessments. The purpose of establishing these standards is to create a transparent and verifiable SMM price formation mechanism. 3. Formation of SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessments 3.1 Significance of the Assessments In recent years, Japan and the United States have continued to play important roles in the global scrap copper trading system. Their export prices for berry copper and copper scrap hold strong reference value for major Asian consumer markets. Due to differences in origin quality structure, trade flows, and regional demand, actual transaction prices vary across different destinations. To more accurately reflect the true price levels of Japanese and US scrap copper in cross-regional circulation, reduce information asymmetry risks, and help upstream and downstream enterprises more reasonably evaluate procurement costs and formulate trading strategies, SMM plans to add price points including Japan Berry Copper CIF China, Japan Berry Copper CIF South Korea, Japan Berry Copper CIF Taiwan China, US Berry Copper CIF Japan, US No.1 Copper CIF Japan, and US No.2 Copper CIF Japan. These will be collected according to a unified methodology and publicly released to the market for industry reference. SMM price members will be able to access relevant historical price data simultaneously. 3.2 SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessment Methodology 3.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Currently, scrap copper reference standards follow ISRI standards. If changes occur, SMM will revise accordingly based on actual circumstances. 3.2.2 Price Terms Prices are CIF indicative prices, expressed as a coefficient (%) unit. 3.2.3 Payment Terms Prices reflect payment conditions including TT or other conventional payment methods. 3.2.4 Quote Format and Timing Quoted prices are in range format, showing minimum and maximum prices. For example: Japan Millberry CIF China: 97.5%-98%. New price points will be assessed weekly. SMM will publish prices on the website front page at 3:30 PM on the last day of each working week. 3.2.5 Data Collection Method According to the data collection confirmation agreement, SMM price analysts will regularly collect price information from scrap copper industry contacts in Japan through telephone, WeChat, email, and other methods. This price information includes completed transaction prices and the most likely anticipated transaction prices expected by the enterprise. All instant messaging content and any face-to-face communication records will be archived telephone communication details will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting to their supervisors any coerced or threatened communications from market participants, or any inducements attempting to influence assessments. After price publication, SMM will not make corrections or adjustments on that day. 3.2.6 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, market transactions exist in various forms. Each transaction price is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, material brand, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market quotes, bids, and transaction information and align them with our standards. We welcome more relevant enterprises along the industry chain to participate in and support SMM in better serving scrap copper industry-related enterprises. For any questions, please contact us. Shanghai Metal Market Copper Department - Aw Yong Yi Cheong Contact: +6011-25798397 Email add: awyong.yicheong@smm.cn
PriceJan 12, 2026 15:35Dear User: Hello! In recent years, China has formed multiple consumption centers for spot aluminum ingot trading. With the development of the aluminum industry chain in the Southwest region, market attention to the Southwest region has gradually increased. Among them, Guangyuan is an important hub for aluminum trading in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Chongqing, and is also the location of the designated settlement warehouse for aluminum futures of the Shanghai Futures Exchange , where aluminum product trading has become increasingly frequent. Therefore, there is an urgent need to compile and release a price index that can fully reflect the spot price of A00 aluminum ingots in the Guangyuan region of our country, so as to objectively, truthfully, and timely reflect the supply and demand situation of the A00 aluminum ingot Spot Market in our country. Based on this, SMM will start to newly release the SMM A00 Aluminum (Guangyuan) and Premium Spot Price Points from November 20, 2025. 1. General Principles of SMM Price Methodology Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any substantial transactions. Instead, it maintains close communication with the buyers or sellers of transactions as a market observer or organizer and provides relevant services to the market. SMM continuously formulates, reviews, and revises its methodology through communication with industry insiders, adopts the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry, and equally values normal transactions that meet the specification standards. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price information deemed to be of poor reliability or unrepresentative from its quotation judgment. SMM publishes daily metal spot prices (or price indices, including those for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and the global market), commonly referred to as SMM Prices. SMM has developed corresponding methodologies for all published SMM Prices (which will be published on SMM's official website www.smm.cn for reference), and the methodologies specify the methods and procedures for the generation and publication of SMM Prices, with SMM Prices being generated and published strictly in accordance with the provisions of the methodologies. To align with the actual situation of the Spot Market, SMM will make necessary revisions to the SMM Price Methodology and announce them on the SMM official website prior to formal implementation. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices and their methodology, please contact SMM Client Server staff (please check the contact information on the SMM official website www.smm.cn). 2. Formation of the Spot Price Point of SMM A00 (Guangyuan) 2.1 Definitions The SMM A00 (Guangyuan) Spot Price is an indicative price generated and published by SMM in accordance with this methodology, which can be adopted by both trading parties as a reference basis for the settlement of spot trade of A00 aluminum ingots in the Guangyuan region. This price reflects the most likely range of spot transaction prices before the release time of the SMM A00 aluminum ingot spot quotation on each complete working day. This price is based on the trading conditions in the Guangyuan region on the day, and other regions can adjust the actual settlement price during trading based on the market correlation between different regions on the basis of this price. 2.2 Price Generation Method SMM obtains information on the spot price of local A00 aluminum ingots in Guangyuan through standard price benchmarking methods, including the indicative transaction price provided by the price benchmarking unit, the existing transaction spot premium or discount, and the indicative transaction spot premium or discount, etc. 2.3 Product Standards A00 Aluminum Ingot: Complies with the requirements for the "Al99.70" grade in GB/T 1196-2023 Aluminum Ingots for Remelting. 2.4 Pricing Unit and Presentation Form Unit: (Renminbi) Yuan/ton. Presented in interval form, it is a tax-inclusive price (including 13% Value Added Tax) Daily quotations include the highest, lowest, and average prices of SMM A00 Aluminum (Guangyuan) and its premium or discount. 2.5 Delivery Method Same-day delivery, pick up by the buyer at Guangyuan Warehouse 2.6 Release Time 10:15 AM every working day (excluding legal holidays and weekends) 3. Methodology Changes All markets are changing, and SMM has the responsibility to ensure that the methodology for market reports changes in tandem with the market. Therefore, SMM will conduct internal reviews of the appropriateness of the methodology on a regular basis based on industry feedback. For all potential modifications that are substantial but not urgent, SMM will follow the formal external consultation process. Then, significant changes will be announced, with a notice period of at least 28 days provided to invite industry professionals to comment, unless special circumstances, especially force majeure (natural disasters, wars, exchange bankruptcies, etc.), result in a shortened notice period. SMM commits to carefully reviewing all comments regarding the proposed methodological changes, but in some cases, may have to make changes to the methodology against the wishes of some market participants. In addition, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM commits to conducting a formal consultation on the A00 aluminum quotation once every year. The date of the last consultation and the deadline for SMM's commitment to hold the next consultation are located at the top of the methodology document. In addition, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM is committed to serving enterprises in the aluminum industry chain and reducing their transaction costs. The newly added price points will be updated at 10:15 a.m. every working day. Please stay tuned. If you have any feedback, please send it to 021-51595811 (Howard Yang). Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Network Information Technology Joint Stock Company Aluminum Business Unit 2025.11.14
PriceNov 14, 2025 18:13