At present, battery cell capacity for energy storage in China has entered a state of broad-based undersupply, with order schedules for energy storage battery cells at some top-tier enterprises even extending to the end of Q1 2027. Affected by this supply-demand gap, China’s energy storage battery cell segment is ushering in a new wave of capacity expansion, with many enterprises announcing large-scale expansion plans.

US President Trump declared that, before long, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened “with ease,” at which point the US would “take the oil.” He also claimed that the US military “has not yet begun destroying Iran’s remaining facilities” and plans to launch follow-up strikes on Iran’s bridges and power plants. In response, the Iranian military issued a statement saying that if the US dares to take action against Iran’s infrastructure, Iran will destroy “all assets and infrastructure” of the US and Israel in the Middle East.

Overall, cost support remained strong, supply tightened while demand stayed stable. As tender prices became clear, aluminum fluoride prices were generally raised by around 800 yuan/mt in line with the guidance. Going forward, close attention should be paid to dynamic changes in raw material costs and adjustments in downstream procurement pace.

Barrick Mining said that its Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan still plans to achieve first production by the end of 2028.The project is a large-scale copper-gold project jointly developed by Barrick, the Pakistani government, and relevant joint venture partners, and is located in Balochistan, Pakistan. Although the company had previously warned that the capital budget previously disclosed for the project's two phases could face a significant increase, the 2028 production commencement target remained unchanged.

Indonesia has postponed the planned April 1 implementation of windfall taxes on coal and nickel exports, as authorities continue to review the technical details, according to Energy and Mining Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

[Zinc Concentrate Production] According to SMM, a mine in North China resumed production and operations in mid-March, and plans to continue ramping up production in April, which is expected to increase zinc concentrates output by around 1,000 mt in metal content MoM.

[Zinc Concentrate Production] According to SMM, a mine in Central China plans to suspend production for a short period for maintenance in April, which is expected to reduce zinc concentrates output by around 500 mt in metal content MoM.

Recent 'EIA' data shows rooftop solar now makes up 20% of Puerto Rico's power capacity (1,456 MW), surpassing natural gas as the second-largest source. Between 2016 and 2025, distributed solar accounted for 81% of all new capacity. To combat frequent grid outages, residents have deployed over 171,000 battery systems (2,864 MWh), with many joining grid operator LUMA's virtual power plant ('VPP') program. Despite this progress, new legislation extended the territory's sole coal plant to 2032 and removed interim renewable targets, though the 100% goal for 2050 remains.

[China Iron Ore Brief Review] In west Liaoning, local iron ore concentrates prices fell slightly by 5 yuan/mt, with the ex-factory prices of 66-grade iron ore concentrates, wet basis and excluding tax, at 735-740 yuan/mt; recently, production at some local mines and beneficiation plants was hindered by environmental protection inspections, leaving overall iron ore concentrates resources relatively tight. Demand side, steel mills were mainly purchasing as needed, and the whole

On April 1, 2026, the launch ceremony for the Zhongke Liquid Sunshine (Shawan) Green Hydrogen Coupled Zero‑Carbon Liquid Sunshine Methanol Circular Economy Industrial Project was held in Shawan, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang. As a flagship project of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan strategic hydrogen energy layout, the project has officially entered the construction phase. Led by the research team of Academician Li Can of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and developed by Zhongke Liquid Sunshine (Shawan) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd . , the project will build an integrated zero‑carbon circular economy system centered on wind‑solar power, green hydrogen, and methanol. It comprises three core modules: an annual output of 3.6 million tonnes of methanol, 13.5 GW of photovoltaic hydrogen production capacity, and an annual output of approximately one million tonnes of coal. Compared with conventional coal chemical industry, this model cuts coal consumption by two-thirds while enabling efficient utilization of green electricity and green hydrogen. The project adopts domestically developed oil‑methanol co‑refining technology to produce polyester fiber, supporting high‑value resource utilization in conjunction with Xinjiang’s textile industry. Multiple enterprises have participated in the joint construction, including China National Chemical Engineering Third Construction Co., Ltd. In alignment with national policies such as the West Hydrogen East Delivery pipeline initiative, the project will help upgrade Xinjiang’s wind and solar energy resources. It is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs, serve as a model for Xinjiang’s green energy transition, and support national energy security and low‑carbon development.