This week, ferrous metals were in the doldrums. The main logic during the week remained weakening cost support. On Tuesday, Iran proposed charging transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump made conciliatory remarks, saying that “even if the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, he would still be willing to end military action against Iran.” Market expectations for tighter crude oil supply weakened, and declines in the energy sector dragged down the coal sector, weakening the cost-side logic. During the week, inventories of the five major steel products continued to decline, but apparent demand remained at a low level for the same period in previous years, providing limited fundamental-driven momentum to futures. In the spot market, purchasing interest was average, mainly focused on restocking at low prices. Spot prices were relatively firm, and the spot-futures price spread widened somewhat......

Zimbabwe Cabinet received and approved the Report on Tours to Economic Flagship Projects in Midlands and Masvingo Provinces, which was presented by Honourable Vice President Gen. (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga.The Vice President led a high-profile delegation on a comprehensive tour of key economic flagship projects in Midlands and Masvingo Provinces as part of the ongoing nationwide assessment of their contributions to Gross Domestic Product, community development, and alignment with the country’s industrialisation and beneficiation objectives. The tour encompassed various mining, industrial, infrastructure, and health projects across both provinces, highlighting their strategic significance and developmental impact. In view of the observation that all the mining companies visited are engaged in ore extraction and the exportation of raw minerals, Cabinet reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the ban on raw mineral exports. This measure is intended to promote value addition, beneficiation, industrialization, and manufacturing initiatives. Additionally, Cabinet has directed that the Great Zimbabwe Hydro-power model be replicated at other dams across the country to enhance power generation capacity.

During an official visit to Japan on March 30, 2026, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that the country will proceed with its B50 palm oil-based biodiesel program this year, raising the blend from 40% to 50%. While authorities had previously sidelined the B50 plan in January due to technical and funding constraints, the government has moved to revive the initiative as a strategic response to global energy supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

[SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Dovish Remarks by the US Fed Drove Zinc Prices Higher] Overnight, LME zinc recorded a bullish candlestick, with the 20-day daily average above acting as resistance. Overnight, dovish remarks by the US Fed boosted market sentiment, while LME Cash-3M shifted to a backwardation structure......

During a Tokyo visit, Indonesian ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced plans to expedite the $20.9 billion Masela Block gas project with Inpex, under directives from President Prabowo. The strategic project, which includes Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, targets completing its Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) and launching its EPC tender in 2026. Concurrently, Indonesia is pushing for broader investments in renewable energy—such as geothermal, hydro, solar, and wind—to strengthen national energy security amid global geopolitical uncertainties.

►New Advances in Magnesium Materials and Processes ►Development and Application of New-Type Low-Cost, High-Strength, Corrosion-Resistant Magnesium Alloys ►Stainless Magnesium Technology: R&D Progress from Alloy Materials to Semi-Solid Processes, R&D and Application of Stainless Magnesium Alloys ►Hefei • Great “Magnesium” Chaohu — Building a First-Class Magnesium Industry Ecosystem in China ►R&D Progress and Current Industrialisation Status of Magnesium-Based Materials and Products at Baowu Magnesium ►Haitian Magnesium Alloy Injection Molding Technology and Market Outlook ►Magnesium from an International Perspective: The Transformation from a Cost-Driven Bulk Commodity to a Strategic Engineering Material ►: Focusing on the New Cycle of Supply and Demand for Magnesium Metal and Downstream Applications — Outlook for the Magnesium Market in 2026