According to customs data, lead concentrate imports in February 2026 were 124,580 mt in physical content, up 3.8% MoM and up 26.4% YoY; cumulative imports in January-February reached 252,241 mt in physical content, up 14% YoY on a cumulative basis. Over the same period, silver concentrate imports were about 148,600 mt in physical content, down 17% MoM and down 8% YoY; cumulative imports in January-February were 328,600 mt in physical content, down 1.27% YoY on a cumulative basis.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s SiMn exports were 2,539.52 mt in January 2026, down 50.55% MoM and down 31.84% YoY. China’s SiMn imports were 0 mt in January 2026, down 100% MoM and down 100% YoY. By import and export regional structure, SiMn exports were mainly destined for Indonesia.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s total manganese ore imports in February 2026 were 2.3064 million mt, down 33.00% MoM and up 3.24% YoY. Cumulative imports in January-February were 5.749 million mt, up 46.29% YoY from the same period last year. February imports from Australia were 413,100 mt, down 31.35% MoM; South Africa 990,400 mt, down 49.55% MoM; Gabon 375,100 mt, up 13.01% MoM; Ghana 270,400 mt, up 1.78% MoM; Brazil 99,700 mt, down 17.87% MoM; and Myanmar 49,900 mt, up 14.8% MoM.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s total manganese ore imports were 3.4426 million mt in January 2026, up 5.14% MoM and up 102.98% YoY. January imports by origin were Australia (601,700 mt, up 3.93% MoM), South Africa (1.963 million mt, up 12.1% MoM), Gabon (331,900 mt, down 11.61% MoM), Ghana (265,700 mt, down 21.39% MoM), Brazil (121,400 mt, up 80.69% MoM), and Myanmar (43,500 mt, down 4.56% MoM).

[SMM Aluminum Bulletin] According to customs data, imports of unwrought aluminum alloy were 90,300 mt in January 2026, down 9.4% YoY and down 3.1% MoM. In February 2026, imports of unwrought aluminum alloy were 65,800 mt, down 28.2% YoY and down 27.1% MoM. Cumulative imports for January-February 2026 totaled 156,100 mt, down 18.5% YoY. Exports of unwrought aluminum alloy were 24,200 mt in January 2026, up 33.6% YoY and down 4.9% MoM. In February 2026, exports of unwrought aluminum alloy were 13,300 mt, down 24.0% YoY and down 45.1% MoM. Cumulative exports for January-February 2026 totaled 37,500 mt, up 5.3% YoY.

[Copper Anode Customs Data] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 64,900 mt of copper anode (HS code: 74020000) in January 2026, up 5.74% MoM and up 1.48% YoY; China imported 56,900 mt of copper anode in February, down 12.33% MoM and up 0.81% YoY; cumulative copper anode imports in January-February 2026 reached 121,700 mt, up 1.16% YoY cumulatively.

Pakistan's energy transition is being drastically mismeasured due to unrecorded distributed solar deployments, reports think tank Renewables First. While official data shows only 6.8 GW of net-metering, estimates suggest the distributed market exceeded 24 GW by mid-2025. With total module imports now reaching 51.5 GW, this consumer-led 'quiet reorientation' could generate 1,730 TWh and save the country $180 billion in fossil fuel imports over the modules' lifetime, urging an immediate update to official energy accounting.

[Copper Ingot Scrap Customs Data] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China imported 46,800 mt of copper ingot scrap (red/purple copper ingots) (HS code: 74031900) in January 2026, up 24% MoM and up 58% YoY; China imported 50,600 mt of copper ingot scrap (red/purple copper ingots) in February, up 8% MoM and up 46% YoY; cumulative imports of copper ingot scrap (red/purple copper ingots) in January-February 2026 reached 97,300 mt, up 51% YoY on a cumulative basis.

It is worth noting that the overall overseas ternary cathode demand outlook for 2026 remains subdued. The U.S. market has been sluggish since the fourth quarter of last year, prompting many overseas manufacturers to place their hopes on the European market.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Alvance British Aluminium has boosted output by ~10% at its Lochaber smelter in Fort William, Scotland (UK’s only primary aluminium plant), thanks to recent US tariff changes. The GFG Alliance-owned facility (48,000 tpy capacity, hydro-powered) now exports about half its production to the US for the first time. Managing Director Tom Uppington: “We increased production in response to shifting trade flows after US tariffs, entering the US market while serving UK and European customers.” President Trump set a 50% global tariff on steel/aluminium imports, but the UK secured a preferential 25% rate (vs. 50% for Canada), making UK metal more competitive. The US still relies on imports for automotive and aerospace sectors.