SMM News, July 31: According to SMM data, total aluminum production outside China in July 2026 fell 6.7% YoY, mainly due to lower plant loads at Middle Eastern smelters. The daily average production outside China rebounded 1.6% MoM, mainly driven by advancing production resumptions in the Middle East and Iceland, as well as production ramp-ups and new capacity commissioning in Indonesia, Vietnam, and other regions. In July, there were many updates on operating aluminum capacity outside China, summarized as follows: On July 1, Hydro announced on its official website that the Slovalco smelter had reached an agreement with the Slovak government, allowing the resumption of 75,000 mt of aluminum capacity, with production expected to start in Q4 2026. On July 2, according to overseas media reports, Magnitude 7 Metals will restart the Line 1 pots at its aluminum smelter in Marston, Missouri, adding 75,000 mt/year of primary aluminum capacity by the end of 2026. On July 2, EGA announced progress in restoring production at its Al Taweelah plant. All anode removal from the pots was complete; pot cleaning was about 90% finished; and over 20% of the pots had been cleared of solidified aluminum. The first repaired pot was successfully restarted on May 26, and as of July 2, 89 pots (out of a total of 1,262) were in operation. On July 3, Vedanta Aluminum released its production report, showing that the Balco smelter recorded aluminum production of 168,000 mt in FY27 (Q2 2026), up 10% QoQ and 17% YoY, mainly driven by trial production from expanded capacity. On July 15, Rio Tinto released its Q2 performance report, noting that aluminum capacity at Kitimat, NZAS, and AP60 continued to rise. The last two potlines at the Arvida smelter were shut down as planned in June, and the Arvida AP60 is planned to reach full production by the end of this year. On July 16, Alcoa announced its Q2 results, with production reaching 636,000 mt, up 5% QoQ, mainly driven by the completion of the restart at the San Ciprián smelter in Spain, ongoing ramp-up at the Alumar smelter in Brazil, and completed restarts at the Lista smelter in Norway and the Portland smelter in Australia. Looking ahead to August 2026, production resumptions in the Middle East are expected to continue advancing; new projects that started production earlier in Indonesia and Vietnam are expected to keep ramping up production; and the expanded capacity at India's Balco is expected to sustain its production ramp-up. Although conflict in the Middle East erupted once again, market feedback indicated that it did not affect aluminum smelter production again. Overall, aluminum production outside China is expected to maintain its MoM growth trend in the short term. However, recent market rumors have emerged that construction progress of aluminum projects in the Middle East, Indonesia, and other areas is slower than expected. Going forward, close attention should be paid to announcements from relevant aluminum smelters in the Middle East, Indonesia, and India.

SMM News, July 31: According to SMM statistics, total outside-China aluminum production in July 2026 fell 6.7% YoY, mainly due to a YoY decline in operating rates at Middle East aluminum smelters. Outside-China daily average production rebounded 1.6% MoM, mainly driven by ongoing production resumptions at smelters in the Middle East and Iceland, as well as output increases brought by project ramp-ups and power-on commissioning in Indonesia, Vietnam, and other locations. In July, there were many updates on operating aluminum capacity outside China. The details are as follows: On July 1, an announcement on Hydro’s official website showed that the Slovalco aluminum smelter had reached an agreement with the Slovak government, allowing it to resume production of 75,000 mt of aluminum capacity, with production expected to start in 2026 Q4. On July 2, according to overseas media reports, Magnitude 7 Metals will restart the No. 1 potline at its aluminum smelter in Marston, Missouri, adding 75,000 mt/year of primary aluminum capacity by the end of 2026. On July 2, EGA announced that its plant in Al Taweelah had made progress in restoring production: anode removal for all pots had been fully completed; pot cleaning was about 90% complete; and solidified aluminum blocks in over 20% of pots had been cleared. On May 26, the first repaired pot was successfully restarted; as of July 2, 89 pots were in operation (1,262 pots in total). On July 3, Vedanta Aluminium released a production report showing that in FY27 (2026 Q2), aluminum production at the Balco smelter reached 168,000 mt, up 10% QoQ and up 17% YoY, mainly benefiting from trial production output from expanded capacity. On July 15, Rio Tinto released its Q2 results report, noting continued capacity increases at Kitimat, NZAS, and AP60. The last two potlines at the Arvida aluminum smelter were closed as planned in June, and Arvida AP60 is expected to reach full production by year-end. On July 16, Alcoa released its Q2 results report. Its production reached 636,000 mt, up 5% QoQ, mainly benefiting from the completion of production resumptions at the San Ciprián smelter in Spain, ongoing production resumptions at the Alumar smelter in Brazil, and the completion of production resumptions at the Lista smelter in Norway and the Portland smelter in Australia. Looking ahead to August 2026, production resumptions in the Middle East are expected to continue; new projects previously commissioned in Indonesia and Vietnam are expected to continue ramping up production; and Balco’s expanded capacity in India is expected to continue ramping up. Although the Middle East conflict has flared up again, market feedback indicates it has not affected smelter production again. Overall, outside-China aluminum production is expected to maintain the MoM growth trend in the short term. However, recent market rumors suggest that construction progress for some aluminum projects in the Middle East and Indonesia has fallen short of expectations, and continued attention should be paid to subsequent announcements from relevant smelters in the Middle East, Indonesia, and India. [Data Source Statement: Except for public information, all other data are processed by SMM based on public information, market communication, and SMM’s internal database models, for reference only and not constituting decision-making advice.] Data source: SMM (Guo Mingxin 021-20707919)

Today, distributed 210 prices were pulled back from high levels, as Q3 distributed demand began to decline and large-format module demand pulled back somewhat. With orders decreasing, the 720W module in the market started to see localized price concessions in shipments. In addition, technological efficiency improvements also contributed to the decline in module prices. Mainstream 210 power slowly rose to 725-735W, and enterprises with existing 715-720W inventory began to moderately lower prices to sell, leading to a price drop.

SMM, July 31: Sentiment in the A-share semiconductor industry chain futures market recovered, as improving industry chain fundamentals transmitted upward, driving a strong rally in the upstream strategic minor metal sector. As of around 10:15 on July 31, the minor metal sector index had risen 4.54%. Among individual stocks, Dongfang Tantalum and Yunnan Germanium hit their daily limit up, while Yunnan Tin, Xiamen Tungsten, China Rare Earth Nonferrous, China Tungsten High-Tech, Zhangyuan Tungsten, Xianglu Tungsten, and Dongfang Zirconium were among the top gainers. The rally in the minor metal sector was driven by the resonance of multiple industry dynamics. On one hand, demand for semiconductors and AI computing recovered, and expansion expectations for high-speed optical modules and AI servers improved. Germanium and tantalum, as core raw materials for semiconductor optoelectronic devices and high-end tantalum capacitors, saw continued strengthening of downstream demand from emerging industries. On the other hand, germanium and tantalum are strategic dispersed metals with concentrated global supply. Supply tightening expectations arose from geopolitical uncertainties outside China and domestic resource controls. Meanwhile, the ongoing localisation of high-end semiconductor materials further boosted market allocation sentiment, lifting the sector's performance. News [Yunnan Germanium: subsidiary signs major indium phosphide wafer supply contract worth 570 million to 855 million yuan; H1 net profit expected to rise YoY] Yunnan Germanium announced on July 24 that its controlling subsidiary Yunnan Xinyao recently signed a supply agreement with a client to sell indium phosphide wafers (substrates). The total contract value is estimated at between 570.08 million yuan and 855.12 million yuan (tax inclusive), representing 53.48% to 80.23% of the company's audited operating revenue in 2025. The contract will be performed from August 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. Regarding the impact on the listed company, Yunnan Germanium stated: If the contract is successfully executed, it is expected to have a positive impact on the company's operating results for the performance years. The specific impact and the reporting periods affected will depend on the actual fulfillment of the contract and will be subject to the revenue confirmed by the company's audit. [Dongfang Tantalum: domestic demand for high value-added products such as superalloys and semiconductor tantalum targets is gradually rising] Dongfang Tantalum stated during an institutional survey on July 23 that with the sustained development of China's high-tech and new infrastructure sectors, domestic demand for high value-added products such as superalloys, semiconductor tantalum targets, and high-purity niobium materials is gradually rising. In recent years, the company has been fully advancing the technological upgrading and capacity expansion of its production lines, rationally organizing production, and gradually releasing new capacity. Guided by the strategy of achieving self-reliance in the industry chain, the localisation substitution process has evolved from individual product breakthroughs to systematic solutions, providing a solid foundation for the growth of tantalum, niobium and their alloy products. [Yunnan Tin: Expects H1 2026 Net Profit of 1.47–1.57 Billion Yuan, Up 38.43%–47.85% YoY] Yunnan Tin disclosed an earnings forecast on the evening of July 14, expecting attributable net profit in H1 2026 to be 1.47 billion to 1.57 billion yuan, up 38.43%–47.85% YoY; and recurring net profit is expected to be 1.88 billion to 1.98 billion yuan, up 44.23%–51.91% YoY. Spot Market Tin Overnight, some US chip stocks rebounded, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged, boosting the performance of tin, known as the “computing metal.” SHFE tin opened higher on July 31, lifting spot prices. In the tin spot market: On July 31, the average price of SMM 1# tin was 425,850 yuan/mt, up 1.51% from the previous trading day. As tin prices rose, spot market trading was sluggish. Fundamentals: (1) Supply: Tight ore and ingot supply, low inventory, amplifying elasticity. Myanmar’s rainy season extends through end-August, with mine flooding and logistics disruptions; Wa State’s June tin ore output was only 6,392 mt in physical content. China’s tin ore imports in July are expected to be basically flat MoM. The slow pace of production resumptions in Wa State has been priced in ahead of time, with no major shutdowns in the near term, but supply contraction expectations during the rainy season have yet to fully materialize. Indonesia’s tin ingot imports in July are expected to show some recovery MoM. (2) Demand: Improved solder operating rates, but acceptance of high prices needs to be tested. The operating rate at solder enterprises was 78.8% in June, up 4.6 percentage points from May; however, after the sharp spot price rally on July 30, downstream users were cautious and stayed on the sidelines, and whether high-priced spot cargoes can be absorbed still requires verification. Stockpiling for new Apple/Huawei models in late August is the next demand trigger point. Institutional Views A research report from Minmetals Securities points out: Germanium accounts for 60% of applications in optical communication and satellite PV fields, making it a metal for “AI computing power + space energy.” With its excellent refractive index tuning capability and radiation resistance, germanium has become a key material for AI data center optical interconnects and low-earth-orbit satellite PV systems. Looking at changes in demand structure, from 2020 to 2026, downstream germanium consumption grew from 160 mt to 240 mt, with optical communication’s share rising to 40% and satellite PV’s share to 20%, together accounting for 60% of total downstream demand. It expects that 90% of the demand growth in 2027 will come from two high-growth sectors: AI hardware and satellite PV. A research report from Caitong Securities shows: As AI computing power demand explodes, the market size of indium phosphide, used as a chip substrate material, will continue to expand. Indium resources are scarce and subject to policy restrictions, and product prices have entered an upward channel. High-purity red phosphorus is a very important semiconductor base material, with high purification technology barriers. Against the backdrop of accelerated AI application deployment driving related infrastructure construction, the indium phosphide (InP) substrate industry chain is expected to see dual opportunities from demand growth and domestic substitution. It is suggested to pay attention to enterprises with resource and technological advantages in the indium phosphide, indium, and high-purity red phosphorus segments. A research report from Da Tong Securities shows that minor metals have embarked on an independent upward trend, with tightening supply combined with strategic attributes leading to a revaluation of value. The rare earth sector has been speculating in advance on new regulation controls, Myanmar ore imports have been disrupted, spot Pr-Nd oxide supply is tight and prices have surged; declining ore grades at tungsten and antimony mines, coupled with environmental protection-driven production restrictions, have widened the supply deficit, while PV and cemented carbide demand remains robust even in the off-season, with inventories at low levels. AI computing power and the communications industry are boosting demand for gallium and germanium, and together with export control policies, concentrated overseas stockpiling has widened the price spread between Chinese and overseas markets. The resonance of scarce resources and financial attributes has kept the sector attracting capital interest. 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In 2026, the global lead-acid battery industry maintains steady growth, holding irreplaceable advantages in starting, industrial, and energy storage applications. Secondary lead has become the core raw material supply, and green recycling and compliant manufacturing have become the industry baseline. The global industry chain is accelerating its shift to Southeast Asia, where Vietnam, leveraging its motorcycle and automobile ownership, manufacturing supporting facilities, and trade facilitation advantages, has become a strategic hub for lead smelting, battery production, and recycling. Meanwhile, the lead industry chain faces multiple challenges such as raw material supply-demand balance, international trade compliance, upgrading environmental standards, iteration of advanced lead battery technologies, supply chain security, and cost control. To build a global lead industry exchange and cooperation platform and promote collaborative innovation across the entire chain of lead ore, primary lead, secondary lead, lead-acid batteries, equipment, and auxiliary materials, the 2026 SMM Global Lead-Acid Battery Supply Chain Innovation Conference is set to take place in Ho Chi Minh City. SMM, in partnership with Hunan Ruiyi Resources and Environment Technology Co., Ltd. , invites you to join the conference. The event will focus on industrial policies, market trends, technological upgrades, circular economy, and the joint development of the global supply chain, helping enterprises seize opportunities and achieve win-win collaboration. Click to register now for the conference, and join us in witnessing and participating in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, creating a brilliant new chapter together! Hunan Ruiyi Resources and Environment Technology Co., Ltd. is an "industry-academia-research-application" cooperation partner of Central South University. Relying on the Institute of Resource Recycling and Environmental Engineering of Central South University, the company primarily engages in technology development and transformation, technical consulting services, process and plant design, equipment manufacturing, and engineering contracting in fields such as clean and efficient utilization of secondary non-ferrous metal resources, comprehensive recovery and safe disposal of heavy metal and arsenic-containing hazardous waste, and extraction. The company focuses on technology R&D and promotion in the hazardous waste disposal industry. With side-blown furnaces, pure oxygen converters, low-temperature pyrolysis furnaces, electric furnaces, and fuming furnaces as core equipment, it enhances metal recovery rates, saves energy, and reduces emissions in the secondary lead recycling industry, the comprehensive recovery and safe disposal of copper scrap, the vitrification of fly ash and residues from municipal solid waste and hazardous waste incineration, and the comprehensive recovery and safe disposal of heavy metal and arsenic-containing hazardous waste, thereby meeting the growing needs of clients; the company has an R&D and design engineering team centered on professors and senior engineers, bringing together talented professionals from metallurgical production and management, environmental protection, plant design, mechanical manufacturing, automation, electrical engineering, and other fields. It possesses full-chain service capabilities from technical consulting to furnace operation in the areas of secondary lead, copper scrap recycling, secondary zinc, and arsenic-containing hazardous waste disposal. In the R&D and manufacturing of side-blown furnaces and the aforementioned resource recycling fields, it holds over 90 invention patents and utility model patents. RE Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as RE TECH) is a cooperative high-techcompany (industry-institute-research) affiliated with Central South University, whose metallurgy department is one of the most prestigious in the world. With independent patented oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace as the core equipment which have widely applied in lead recvcling industry and have won a lot of awards because of its innovative technology, we also have the ability to design the entire plant, and design and fabricate the essential equipment including side-blowing furnace, rotary furnace, blast furnace, convert, electrical furnace, fuming furnace and other equipment. In our role as the leading engineering company in lead recycling, we continue to invest in upgrading equipment and processes to meet the ever-increasing requirement of the industry, including improving metal recovery rates, reducing emissions, and treating materials more efficiently. We are expanding our field from lead to copper, nickel,zinc, tin, antimoney etc. to ensure that nonferrous secondary resources are reused efficiently and cleanly, heavy metals and arsenic-containing hazardouswastes are reecovered and disposed safely. Professors, experts and engineers make up the RE TECH team, whose majors include metallurgy, environmental protection, mechanical, automation, electrical and otherdisciplines. With more than 90 patents, the team is capable of providing consulting, engineering, equipment fabrication, installation, commissioning, and operation services to our respected clients. Contact Tel: 0731-82850226 Email: info@rezh.net Website: http//www.hnrezh.com Address: No. 19 Ziyuan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province Long press and scan to register now 2026 SMM Global Lead-Acid Battery Supply Chain Industry Conference

The operating rate of China's major copper cathode rod enterprises this week (Jul 24 - Jul 30) was 60.07%, down 2.49 percentage points WoW, up 2.49 percentage points from expectations, and down 11.66 percentage points YoY. Copper prices fluctuated at highs, coupled with the industry entering the traditional consumption off-season, downstream demand was generally weak, end-user rigid demand was insufficient, new orders growth for copper cathode rod enterprises was limited, and production continued to shrink. Downstream wire and cable and enamelled wire industries were also under pressure. Off-season sentiment combined with high copper prices suppressed purchase willingness, orders continued to shrink, further weighing on the operating load of copper cathode rods. Inventory side, earlier market raw material purchasing sentiment was weak, enterprise raw material inventories remained low for a long period; this week, some enterprises conducted restocking to meet rigid demand, raw material inventory up 1.77 percentage points WoW; but downstream willingness to pick up goods showed no improvement, persistently weak demand led to finished product inventory up 1.59 percentage points WoW. Looking ahead to next week (Jul 31 - Aug 6), enterprises that underwent maintenance earlier will gradually resume production, but some other enterprises will start production cuts, overall operating rate movement is limited. SMM expects the operating rate of copper cathode rod enterprises next week to fall 0.35 percentage points WoW to 59.72%.

This week, the industry chain exhibited a diverging pattern, with upstream raw material and cobalt salt prices weakening while midstream and downstream material prices remained relatively stable. Trading in refined cobalt, intermediate products, cobalt sulphate, cobalt chloride, Co3O4, and cobalt powder was generally sluggish. Downstream buyers mostly maintained just-in-time procurement, as off-season demand was insufficient, and inventory pressure along with low-priced supply continued to weigh on market prices. Although some miners and smelters, supported by high-cost inventory, still intended to hold prices firm, traders and recycling companies became more active in selling, and the decline in the cost of refined cobalt reverse dissolution further strengthened market expectations of pushing for lower prices. In the short term, related product prices still face downward pressure. Ternary cathode precursor, ternary cathode material, and LCO prices remained stable overall. Leading ternary cathode precursor companies performed well in export orders, and domestic production schedules recovered somewhat, but small and medium-sized enterprises were still affected by the off-season. Demand for ternary cathode materials from the EV sector stayed at a high level; some battery cell enterprises stockpiled in advance, and August orders are expected to be stable with slight growth. Consumer-side demand remained mediocre. Affected by sluggish end-use demand and substitution by ternary cathode materials, LCO production and sales remained low, further narrowing enterprises' profit margins. Subsequent market recovery will still depend on the restocking pace in mid-to-late August and the release of demand during the September-October peak season.

Overall, upstream producers support prices amid losses with rising factory inventories, midstream traders destock continuously , while downstream purchasers insist on low-price procurement. The multi-dimensional market game has weakened overall trading liquidity. Costs form a solid bottom support for spot prices, while high factory inventories and sluggish off-season demand cap upward price momentum. Sustained market downturns may trigger further active production cuts on the supply side.

The SEA secondary aluminum market remained mixed this week. Aluminum scrap prices were largely stable, while ADC12 remained under pressure due to weak downstream demand. Buying activity stayed cautious, although UBC scrap held firm on tighter supply and steady recycling demand. Market attention also shifted to the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), with growing focus on carbon reporting, recycled content, and supply chain traceability as compliance requirements continue to evolve.

A methane gas explosion at a coal mining complex in Pakistan's Balochistan province killed at least 11 miners, left 25 others missing, and damaged two adjacent mines. Rescue operations are ongoing, while authorities have launched an investigation. Mining activities at the affected site are expected to remain suspended pending safety inspections. The disruption may tighten coal supply in Balochistan in the short term. However, as Pakistan is not a major exporter in the global seaborne coal market and most of its coal is consumed domestically, the incident is expected to have only a limited impact on international thermal and metallurgical coal markets. Market attention will now focus on whether safety inspections are expanded to other mines, which could further tighten domestic supply and increase Pakistan's import demand.