Alumina Transaction: On March 19, 2026, 30,000 mt of alumina was transacted at a transaction price of $310/mt FOB Eastern Australia, for May shipment.

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.

This week, the rare earth market outside China showed a divergent pattern of “cerium up, the rest down.” Driven by price increases in China and rising ocean freight rates, cerium oxide FOB and CIF prices rose by $55/mt and $60/mt, respectively, while FOB offers for mainstream magnetic material raw materials such as praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium were generally lowered by $3-19.5/kg due to lower prices in China and tight supply caused by export controls. Although limited trading volumes supported premiums in markets outside China, expectations of an industrial slowdown in Europe triggered by the Middle East situation may suppress subsequent demand. On industry developments, Lynas’ Malaysia plant started samarium oxide production ahead of schedule, consolidating its position as the only commercial heavy rare earth separator outside China and advancing its 2030 strategy. In Australia, Terrain discovered high-grade magnetic rare earth ore intervals during drilling at its Western Australia project, highlighting significant resource potential.

Renascor Resources Drilling at Bulloo Creek intersected cobalt and copper mineralisation associated with magnetic anomalies, delivering several intervals with economically promising grades. The results indicate a south-dipping cobalt ± copper mineralised horizon, with mineralisation confirmed in both eastern and western anomalies, suggesting a broader mineralised trend. At the Marree Project, negotiations on a Native Title agreement have progressed, which is expected to facilitate exploration of uranium as well as copper-gold targets. Uranium targeting work has also commenced at the Wooltana Project, while rare earth exploration at the Tumby Bay prospect on Eyre Peninsula is advancing, with plans to expand soil geochemistry programs to further define the scale and extent of mineralisation.

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).

[Imported Zinc Concentrate Market] Recently, typhoon weather in Australia has continued to disrupt zinc concentrate transportation, and expectations of tight imported zinc concentrates are expected to persist. Traders in the market have continued to lower TC quotations, and currently quotations for zinc-rich concentrates on spot cargo vessels have fallen to negative levels.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall near Coen, Far North Queensland, Australia, around 7:30 AM on March 20, 2026, as a Category 4 system (after peaking as Cat 5 offshore). It brought winds >250 km/h, 200–500 mm rain, flash flooding, and storm surge—one of the strongest cyclones to hit the region in decades. Rio Tinto shut down its Weipa bauxite operations (including Amrun and Andoom mines) as a precaution against destructive winds, heavy rain, and risks to infrastructure. The Weipa area supplies key global bauxite for aluminium production. Emergency evacuations occurred in remote communities like Lockhart River.

[SMM Titanium Spot Flash: Imported Titanium Ore Market Remained Under Pressure, Sluggish Port Sales Forced Traders to Cut Prices for Shipments] SMM News, March 19: Imported titanium ore prices remained under pressure today. Quotations for Mozambique-origin titanium concentrate with TiO₂≥46% were 1,670-1,730 yuan/mt, down 30 yuan from yesterday; quotations for Nigeria-origin titanium concentrate with TiO₂≥50% were 1,780-1,830 yuan/mt, down 25 yuan from yesterday; quotations for Australia-origin titanium concentrate with TiO₂≥50% were 1,830-1,880 yuan/mt, down 25 yuan from yesterday.

According to foreign media reports, Ora Banda Mining increased the newly discovered resources at Round Dam tenfold in just over six months. The mining area is very close to the company's Davyhurst beneficiation plant in Western Australia. The Round Dam gold mine was discovered long ago, but its large gold system was not identified until August last year. In terms of resource classification, measured resources were 408,000 ounces, and inferred resources were 922,000 ounces.

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.