After the Chinese New Year holiday, premiums in Tianjin remained at a discount throughout February. How will premiums and discounts move going forward?

In recent years, the PV industry has entered a period of deep adjustment, with module prices continuing to decline, and both upstream and downstream segments of the industry chain facing severe profit compression. Driven by the imperative of "extreme cost reduction," PV glass, a key auxiliary material for PV modules, has imposed increasingly stringent requirements on the cost and quality of upstream raw materials.

China Huadian launched a 12 GWh energy storage tender for 2026, explicitly requiring ≥314Ah cells. The contract uniquely links pricing to SMM’s lithium carbonate index to manage market volatility. With bids opening February 11, 2026, this tender cements 314Ah technology and SMM benchmarks as the new standard for utility-scale projects.

According to SMM, amid the significant surge in precious metals in 2025, the silver recycling market has seen a sharp rise in activity, with instances of inverted silver prices leading to a rush for crude silver in the market.

The record of investor relations activities of Yunnan Copper from June 11 to June 13, 2025, recently released by Yunnan Copper, shows: Regarding the company's basic information, Yunnan Copper introduced: Yunnan Copper was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1998. Its main businesses cover copper exploration, mining, beneficiation, smelting, extraction and processing of precious metals and minor metals, sulfur chemical industry, and trade. It is an important production site for copper, gold, silver, and sulfur chemicals in China. Among them, the capacity for copper cathode is 1.4 million mt. The company is the only publicly listed firm in the copper industry of Chalco and China Copper. In Q1 2025, the company produced 348,900 mt of copper cathode, up 48.15% YoY; 5.80 mt of gold, up 95.63% YoY; 128.48 mt of silver, up 54.31% YoY; 1.3872 million mt of sulphuric acid, up 23.61% YoY; and 13,900 mt of copper in copper concentrates, down 15% YoY. At the end of Q1 2025, the company's total assets were 49.256 billion yuan, with an asset-liability ratio of 62.39%. It achieved an operating revenue of 37.754 billion yuan, up 19.71% YoY; a total profit of 922 million yuan, up 14.11% YoY; a net profit attributable to publicly listed firms of 560 million yuan, up 23.97% YoY; and a basic earnings per share of 0.2793 yuan, up 23.97% YoY. II. Q&A Session 1. In the face of the sluggish processing fee situation this year, what measures has the company taken to respond? Yunnan Copper stated: On the one hand, the company has strategically planned for "digital and intelligent transformation, expanding resources, refining mines, optimizing smelting, solidifying secondary (copper), and meticulously managing minor (metals)", and increased the extraction of urban mines and minor metals. On the other hand, in 2025, the company focuses on the key work of extreme operation, striving to promote high-quality development of the company, and advancing cost reduction with iron determination. After several years of cost reduction, quality improvement, and efficiency enhancement, the costs of the company's main products have certain competitiveness. In addition, the company has increased the profit contribution of by-products such as sulphuric acid, molybdenum, selenium, tellurium, platinum, palladium, and rhenium to enhance the company's comprehensive competitiveness. 2. What is the expected impact of the current smelting processing fees on the company's profits? Yunnan Copper stated: Since this year, long-term contracts and spot TC have seen significant declines compared to last year. The company has offset the adverse impact of the decline in processing fees through measures such as cost reduction, expanding procurement channels, and increasing direct supply of ore from mines. In addition, the company focuses on the layout of secondary copper and minor metals, while continuing to increase the profit contribution of by-products such as sulphuric acid, molybdenum, selenium, tellurium, platinum, palladium, and rhenium to offset the profit pressure caused by the decline in processing fees. 3. What is the approximate sales volume and price of sulphuric acid for the company this year? Yunnan Copper Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd. stated: Sulphuric acid is a by-product of the company's copper smelting process, and its price varies due to regional factors. In Q1 this year, the average price of sulphuric acid in major regions increased significantly YoY. The company actively seized market opportunities, contributing positively to its performance. 4. What efforts has the company made in resource acquisition? Yunnan Copper Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd. stated: The company attaches great importance to the replacement of mine resources and has increased capital investment to carry out comprehensive geological studies of various mining areas and exploration work in the deep and peripheral parts of mines. In 2024, the company invested 65 million yuan in exploration activities and exploration work in the deep and peripheral parts of mines, adding 91,800 mt of inferred and above copper resource metal content, achieving the annual target and realizing annual reserve increases greater than mine output consumption for four consecutive years. In addition, on the basis of managing existing mines and smelters well, the company actively focuses on high-quality copper resource projects. 5. The company announced its intention to issue shares to purchase a 40% stake in Liangshan Mining held by Yunnan Copper Group. What is the current progress, and what advantages will it bring to the company? Yunnan Copper Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd. stated: On May 13, 2025, the company issued the "Announcement on Suspension of Trading for the Purpose of Planning to Issue Shares to Purchase Assets and Raise Supporting Funds", indicating that the company is planning to issue shares to purchase a 40% stake in Liangshan Mining Co., Ltd. held by Yunnan Copper (Group) Co., Ltd. and raise supporting funds. Currently, the company and relevant parties are actively promoting various aspects of this transaction. Liangshan Mining is a copper resource production and smelting enterprise spanning the copper mining, beneficiation, and smelting industries, covering copper, iron, and sulphuric acid products. Liangshan Mining owns high-quality copper resources such as the Lala Copper Mine and Hongnipo Copper Mine, currently capable of producing approximately 13,000 mt of copper concentrates, 119,000 mt of copper anodes, and 400,000 mt of industrial sulphuric acid annually. Liangshan Mining is one of the core copper resource production and smelting bases under China Copper Corporation. As of the end of March 2025, the high-quality copper mine resources it holds, including the Hongnipo Copper Mine, Lala Copper Mine, and Hailin Copper Mine, have a copper metal reserve of 779,700 mt, with an average copper grade of 1.16%, higher than the current average copper grade of 0.38% at Yunnan Copper Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd. In 2024, it successfully bid for and obtained the exploration rights to the Hailin Copper Mine in Huili City, Sichuan Province, with a mining area of 48.34 square kilometers, further enhancing the resource reserve potential of Liangshan Mining. In addition, the copper mining costs of the mines owned by Liangshan Mining are relatively low, demonstrating good cost competitiveness. The sulphuric acid sales prices in south-west China, where Liangshan Mining is located, are also relatively favorable. This time, the company intends to acquire a 40% stake in Liangshan Mining held by its controlling shareholder, Yunnan Copper Group, which can further resolve horizontal competition and ensure the faithful implementation of relevant commitments. Meanwhile, Liangshan Mining boasts significant resource advantages and a solid profitability foundation, with a return on net assets higher than the industry average. Upon completion of the Hongnipo Copper Mine, it will reach a medium-to-large scale among copper mines, further enhancing its profitability. After the injection of Liangshan Mining into Yunnan Copper, it can effectively increase the publicly listed firm's equity copper resource reserves, enhance the overall asset and profit scale as well as the industry position of the publicly listed firm, facilitate the full play of business synergies by the publicly listed firm, strengthen the reserve of high-quality resources and capacity layout, enhance comprehensive strength and core competitiveness, and promote the high-quality development of the publicly listed firm. In addition, this acquisition is a specific measure taken by the company to implement the relevant opinions of the SASAC of the State Council on improving and strengthening the market value management of listed firms controlled by central state-owned enterprises, and to carry out M&A and restructuring activities that are conducive to enhancing the investment value of listed firms, which is conducive to safeguarding the rights and interests of the listed firm and all its shareholders. 6. What is the construction status of the Hongnipo Project of Liangshan Mining? Yunnan Copper stated: The Hongnipo Copper Mine is currently in the construction phase. The total identified ore reserves amount to 41.606 million mt, with an average copper grade of 1.42% and a copper metal content of 592,900 mt. The company will closely monitor the project's construction progress and strictly fulfill its information disclosure obligations in accordance with relevant regulations such as the "SZSE Listing Rules". Please stay tuned for the company's announcements. According to the record of Yunnan Copper's investor relations activities on March 26, 2025 (Interpretation Meeting Series I for the 2024 Annual Report) previously announced by Yunnan Copper: In 2024, Yunnan Copper adhered to the guidance of Party building, continued to strive and forge ahead, comprehensively implemented the decisions and deployments of the company's Party committee and board of directors, overcame unfavourable factors such as a significant decline in TC and the shutdown of the old facilities of Xinan Copper, and maintained a stable operating situation. The company produced 1.206 million mt of copper cathode, 12.71 mt of gold, 348.99 mt of silver, and 4.8286 million mt of sulphuric acid throughout the year. As of year-end 2024, its total assets amounted to 43.557 billion yuan, with an asset-liability ratio of 57.66%. It achieved operating revenue of 178.012 billion yuan, total profit of 2.316 billion yuan, net profit attributable to the publicly listed firm of 1.265 billion yuan, and basic earnings per share of 0.6312 yuan. The company intends to distribute a cash dividend of 2.4 yuan (tax included) for every 10 shares to all shareholders, without converting capital reserves into share capital. What is the construction progress of the relocation project of the Xinan Copper Branch previously announced by the company? Yunnan Copper previously responded during an institutional survey: The electrolysis system of the upgrade and renovation project for the relocation of Xinan Copper was commissioned with load at the end of June 2024, and the pyrometallurgy system entered the load commissioning phase in mid-October 2024, successfully producing copper anodes. As of now, the overall project for the relocation and upgrade of Xinan Copper has been fully completed and is currently in the load commissioning phase. This project is conducive to optimizing the company's smelting layout and production processes, achieving efficient comprehensive utilisation of resources, reducing production costs, and enhancing the company's overall competitiveness, aligning with the company's development needs for green, low-carbon, large-scale, short-process, low-cost, and digital intelligence. When asked about the company's progress in resource acquisition in 2024, Yunnan Copper previously responded during an institutional survey: The company attaches great importance to the replacement of mine resources, increasing capital investment to carry out comprehensive geological studies of various mining areas and exploration work in the deep and peripheral parts of mines. In 2024, the company invested 65 million yuan in exploration, conducting multiple mineral exploration activities and exploration work in the deep and peripheral parts of mines, adding 91,800 mt of inferred and above copper metal resources, achieving the annual target, and achieving annual reserve increases greater than mine production and consumption for four consecutive years. As of the end of 2024, the company held 964 million mt of copper ore resources, with a copper metal content of 3.6509 million mt and an average copper grade of 0.38%. Among them, Diqing Nonferrous held 846 million mt of copper ore resources, with a copper metal content of 2.8037 million mt and an average copper grade of 0.33%. When analyzing the company's core competitiveness, Yunnan Copper mentioned that its good resource reserves are one of its core competitiveness factors: The company attaches great importance to the replacement of mine resources, increasing capital investment to carry out comprehensive geological studies of various mining areas and exploration work in the deep and peripheral parts of mines. The company's main mines, including the Pulang Copper Mine, Dahongshan Copper Mine, and Yangla Copper Mine, are mainly distributed in the Sanjiang Metallogenic Belt, with favourable metallogenic geological conditions and potential for further prospecting. In 2024, the company invested 65 million yuan in exploration, conducting multiple mineral exploration activities and exploration work in the deep and peripheral parts of mines, adding 91,800 mt of inferred and above copper metal resources, achieving the annual target, and achieving annual reserve increases greater than mine production and consumption for four consecutive years. As of the end of 2024, the company held 964 million mt of copper ore resources, with a copper metal content of 3.6509 million mt and an average copper grade of 0.38%. Among them, Diqing Nonferrous held 846 million mt of copper ore resources, with a copper metal content of 2.8037 million mt and an average copper grade of 0.33%. The 2025 financial budget plan disclosed by Yunnan Copper in its 2024 annual report indicates the following production plans for the company's main products in 2025: The company expects to produce 54,600 mt of copper in copper concentrates, 1.52 million mt of copper cathode, 16 mt of gold, 680 mt of silver, and 5.364 million mt of sulphuric acid throughout the year. The investment plan for 2025 is 1.617 billion yuan, covering fixed asset investments, digital projects, and geological exploration projects. During a survey, Yunnan Copper stated that in Q1 this year, the average price of sulphuric acid in major regions increased significantly YoY. The company actively seized market opportunities, contributing positively to its performance. 》Click to view SMM spot copper prices 》Subscribe to view historical SMM spot metal price trends Reviewing the sulphuric acid price trend in Q1, it can be seen that: In Q1, both domestic and overseas demand was strong, leading to an increase in the price of smelting acid. As of March 28 (week), the average weekly price of smelting acid (sulphuric acid) in Yunnan was 780 yuan/mt, up 280 yuan/mt from the average weekly price of 500 yuan/mt on December 27, 2024 (week). From the perspective of the average price increase, the Q1 increase was 56%. According to SMM, domestically, in Q1, sulphuric acid prices were supported by "spring ploughing" and the cost of raw materials. Overseas, demand was relatively strong in Q1, with export prices also rising to a relatively high level in recent years. After reaching a high average annual price of 780 yuan/mt, with the end of spring ploughing, the operating rates of downstream fertilizer enterprises declined, and domestic demand weakened. Domestic sulphuric acid prices began to weaken from mid-to-late April. In early May, influenced by the end of the spring ploughing season, sulphuric acid prices in many parts of the country were still in the process of pulling back, with significant declines particularly in the south China market, while prices in the northern market remained relatively stable overall. In mid-May, domestic sulphuric acid prices showed mixed performance, mainly due to the continuous release of fertilizer export information and the gradual implementation of related policies, leading to a gradual rebound in downstream demand. Sulphuric acid prices in the south stopped falling and stabilized. After entering late May, sulphuric acid prices in many parts of the country rose again. Since June, sulphuric acid prices in Yunnan have remained stable at the beginning of the month. However, recently, influenced by the escalating geopolitical conflicts and the resulting uncertainties, domestic sulphur and sulphuric acid prices have both risen significantly in the past week, with sulphuric acid prices showing a 15.38% increase in the week ending June 13, with its average price (as of the week ending June 13) rising to 600 yuan/mt.

On June 13, at the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metal Industry Conference - Rare and Scattered Metals Forum (Indium, Germanium, Gallium, Bismuth, Selenium, Tellurium), hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Long Wensheng, General Manager of Changsha Aochang Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd., elaborated on "The Current Application Status and Future Prospects of Minor Metal Selenium.

On June 13, at the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metal Industry Conference - Rare and Scattered Metals Forum (Indium, Germanium, Gallium, Bismuth, Selenium, Tellurium), hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Long Wensheng, General Manager of Changsha Aochang Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd., elaborated on "The Current Application Status and Future Prospects of Minor Metal Selenium.

On June 13, at the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metal Industry Conference - Antimony Forum, hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Yi Xiaobo, Senior Advisor/Senior Engineer at the National Power and ESS Battery Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, shared insights on "The Fundamentals of Supply and Demand in the Battery Market and the Application and Development of Antimony Metal in Lead-Antimony Alloy Plates for Batteries.

On June 13, at the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metal Industry Conference - Antimony Forum hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM) , Yi Xiaobo, Senior Advisor/Senior Engineer at the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Power and Energy Storage Battery Products, shared insights on "The Fundamentals of Supply and Demand in the Battery Market and the Application and Development of Antimony Metal in Lead-Antimony Alloy Plates for Batteries." I. Analysis of the Lead-Acid Battery Application Market 1. Total Production 2. Proportion of Main Products ►Power Type: Electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, electric four-wheelers; Top-tier enterprises: Tianneng, Chilwee, Xupai, Jingjiu, Suzhong, Huoju. ►Starting Type: Cars, agricultural vehicles, motorcycles, ships, diesel locomotives; Top-tier enterprises: Camel, Fengfan, Leoch, Jujiang, GS Yuasa. ►Standby Power Type: Electric power, telecommunications, UPS, data centers; Top-tier enterprises: Narada, Leoch, Shuangdeng, Sacred Sun, Ruida, Vision. ►Energy Storage Type: ESS power stations, industrial and commercial ESS, household ESS; Top-tier enterprises: Narada, Leoch, Shuangdeng, Sacred Sun, Huafu. 3. Market Situation In recent years, with the continuous emergence and application of various new-type batteries, the traditional lead-acid battery market has faced severe challenges. Overall Situation: Lithium batteries have rapidly occupied the high ground; sodium-ion batteries are poised for takeoff; other new-type power supplies are eagerly awaiting their turn. Automotive Market As of 2024, the domestic automobile ownership stood at approximately 353 million units, with NEVs accounting for 8.9%; globally, automobile ownership reached 1.6 billion units, with NEVs accounting for 3%. ►Market Analysis Ø The market demand growth rate for internal combustion engine vehicles will decline over the next three years. Ø Extended-range and plug-in electric vehicles have become the mainstream in NEV development. Ø Currently, 98% of internal combustion engine vehicles, except for parked heavy trucks, use lead batteries. Ø Lithium batteries dominate in NEVs, with lead batteries serving as a supplement. Ø The development of vehicle electrification and intelligent driving over the next three to five years will have a significant impact on the traditional lead-acid battery market. Ø Demand characteristics: Safety, starting capability, charging acceptance, vibration resistance, low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance, lifespan, and price. Ø Sodium-ion batteries are beginning to penetrate the market. Electric Two-Wheelers In 2024, the total domestic sales of electric two-wheelers reached approximately 49.5 million units, representing an 11.6% YoY decline compared to the previous year, while overseas sales totaled around 18.77 million units, showing a 24.8% YoY increase. By the end of December 2024, the ownership of electric two-wheelers in the Chinese market was approximately 400 million units. ►Market Analysis Ø Currently, lead-acid batteries hold a market share exceeding 87%, lithium batteries account for around 11%, and sodium-ion batteries make up less than 2%. Ø The trend still favors lead-acid batteries, as there is a demand for batteries with higher safety than lithium batteries, and sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a strong contender. Electric Three-Wheelers and Low-Speed Electric Four-Wheelers By the end of 2024, the market ownership of electric three-wheelers nationwide was approximately 70 million units. In 2024, the sales of low-speed electric four-wheelers in China were about 302,000 units, representing an 8.5% YoY decline. The market is expected to continue declining in 2025, with future development depending on policies and relevant standards. ►Market Analysis Ø Lead-acid batteries account for approximately 60% of the market for electric three-wheelers and low-speed electric four-wheelers, with lithium batteries gradually increasing their share to 40%, and sodium-ion batteries accounting for 0.5%. Ø For other electric vehicles, including electric forklifts, electric logistics vehicles, electric flatbed trucks, and tourist sightseeing vehicles, lithium batteries account for about 80% of the market, lead-acid batteries for about 20%, and sodium-ion batteries for 0.3%. II. Application of Antimony Metal in Lead-Acid Batteries 1. The Importance of Antimony Metal Rare Metal: Antimony has an extremely low abundance in the Earth's crust, at only two parts per ten million. It is primarily found in the sulphide mineral stibnite (Sb2S3). As of 2024, global antimony reserves reached 2.255 million mt, with China holding 670,000 mt, accounting for 29.7% and ranking first in the world. Strategic Metal: Known as the "vitamin" of industry, antimony plays an indispensable role in new energy and military industries. 2. Main Uses of Antimony Metal ►Flame Retardants: Antimony trioxide, when combined with halogenated flame retardants, becomes an irreplaceable flame-retardant material widely used in industries such as plastics, rubber, textiles, and chemical fibers. ►PV Power Generation: PV Glass: Antimony compounds and sodium pyroantimonate are used as glass refining agents to improve transparency. Monocrystalline Silicon Panels: Doping with antimony increases oxygen precipitation rates, improves crystal quality, and enhances photoelectric conversion efficiency. ►Lead-Acid Batteries: Grid alloys, parts, and additives (antimony trioxide). ►Semiconductor Materials: High-purity antimony and its compounds are used as dopants in n-type silicon wafers with ultra-high conductivity (for diodes, infrared detectors, Hall elements, etc.). ►Glass Ceramics: Porcelain: As a hardness and wear-resistance agent for glazes. Glass: As a coloring agent, strength enhancer, and heat-resistant agent. ►Strategic Military Applications: Nuclear weapons, rockets, missile shells, bullets, flares, gun barrels, night vision goggles, infrared sensors, precision optics, laser sights, etc. ► Alloy materials: Enhancers and corrosion inhibitors for bearings, gears, chemical pipelines, cable sheathing, etc. ► Chemical materials: Stabilizers and catalysts for polyester compounds and polyethylene terephthalate. 3. Production and price of antimony metal ► Limited production: In 2024, China's antimony metal production was 72,000 mt, a 10.3% YoY decrease, with a capacity utilisation rate of 33%, constrained by insufficient raw material supply. The demand in 2024 was 97,100 mt, mainly driven by the expansion of PV systems and flame-retardant materials, which increased the demand for antimony metal. ► Significant increase in antimony imports: According to customs statistics, China's imports of antimony ore and concentrate were 51,080.2 mt in 2024, a 46.0% YoY increase. ► Price increase: The intensified supply-demand imbalance drove up prices. ► Development trends: A. The state intensifies industry regulation and export controls; B. The supply of antimony resources may continue to tighten; C. The demand for downstream applications is increasingly robust; D. Technology reshapes the value chain, with application scenarios shifting towards high-end (PV, military, battery); E. The supply-demand gap for antimony will widen in 2025; F. Prices may continue to rise; G. Antimony recycling technology improves, with an increase in recycling rates. 4. Application of antimony metal in lead-acid batteries ► Application history a. In 1859, Frenchman Gaston Plante invented the lead-acid battery (two lead plates immersed in dilute sulphuric acid could generate an electric current). b. In 1881, Frenchman Camille Faure invented the pasted plate (a rechargeable lead-acid battery with lead oxide coated on the lead plates). c. In 1882, Englishman Sellon invented the lead-antimony alloy grid (with 5%-7% antimony content, enhancing plate strength, conductivity, and lifespan). d. 1950s-1970s: Lead-antimony-arsenic alloy (with 3%-5% antimony content, addressing water loss and self-discharge issues). e. 1980s-1990s: Lead-antimony-arsenic-tin alloy (with 1.5%-2% antimony content, addressing water loss, internal resistance, and self-discharge issues). f. 1990s onwards: Application of valve-regulated batteries (gradually replacing lead-antimony alloy grids); lead-antimony-arsenic-tin-copper-selenium(sulphur) alloy (with 0.5%-1% antimony content, addressing water loss, self-discharge, and corrosion issues). ► Current application status a. Lead-antimony grids: Flooded battery grids (for automotive, agricultural vehicle starting batteries, forklift traction batteries, electric three-wheeler power batteries, and motorcycle starting batteries). b. Applications of lead parts: terminal posts, terminals, busbars, and connecting strips. c. Lead-calcium grid plate: Antimony trioxide (an additive for positive active material, addressing the passivation issue of deep-cycle plates, i.e., solving the "antimony-free effect" of plates). ‌‌►Usage volume a. Antimony ingot: Approximately 10,000 mt per year; b. Antimony trioxide: Approximately 2,000 mt per year. ‌‌►Future usage trends a. The usage of antimony ingot will gradually decrease (forklift batteries and electric three-wheeler batteries are gradually being replaced by lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries). b. The usage of antimony trioxide will remain basically unchanged. 》Click to view the special report on the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metals Industry Conference

[Live Broadcast of Minor Metal Industry Conference: Where Will Global Economy and Trade Head? Long-term Impact of "Dual-use Items" Outlook for Minor Metals, Precious Metals, and PV Markets] ► Intertwined bullish and bearish factors in the Sino-US game, where will global economy and trade head? ► Strategic significance and long-term impact of "Dual-use Items" ► Current situation of minor metal enterprises - the chill of trade war policies and the dawn of prices ► Review of gold and silver market in 2025 and future outlook ► Summary of minor metal market in 2025 and future forecast ► Summary of PV market in 2025 and future forecast