On July 9, Xingye Silver&Tin's stock price fell, closing down 2.65% at 32.35 yuan per share on the 9th. In terms of news: On July 8, Xingye Silver&Tin stated on the investor interaction platform that the company's current capacity supply mainly relies on existing mines in operation, and details of annual capacity can be found in the company's periodic reports. On July 8, Xingye Silver&Tin stated on the investor interaction platform that, the preparatory work for the Yinman Phase II project has been largely completed, and the company is currently coordinating and finalizing arrangements for the commencement of construction, planning to start in July. Once the specific start date is determined, the company will disclose it through an announcement as soon as possible. On July 8, Xingye Silver&Tin stated on the investor interaction platform that, according to the JORC Code, the Competent Person SRK only uses the current Measured and Indicated Resources as the basis for ore reserve conversion and the production schedule plan. However, in actual operations, through continuous production drilling and exploration, the company may upgrade some Inferred Resources, which will then be incorporated into the actual mining and processing plan. Meanwhile, the Competent Person SRK uses Deswik software to generate stope shapes through stope optimization, which may be inconsistent with the stope layouts adopted in the company's routine production planning. Therefore, the company's actual future production schedule and operating performance may differ from the production schedule and related forecasts presented by the Competent Person SRK. On July 8, Xingye Silver&Tin stated on the investor interaction platform that regarding the production of various metals in H1, please refer to the 2026 Semi-Annual Report scheduled to be released on August 29, 2026, in designated information disclosure media. On the evening of June 30, Xingye Silver&Tin announced that it plans to acquire a 25% stake in Atlas Tin SAS held by Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. through a newly established overseas subsidiary, for a total consideration of $23.1136 million. After the transaction, the company will indirectly hold 100% equity in the target company, achieving full ownership of the Achmmach Tin Mine Project, aiming to simplify the governance structure, improve decision-making efficiency, and maximize the release of value from the tin ore assets. In terms of performance: Xingye Silver&Tin disclosed in its Q1 report that in January–March 2026, the company achieved operating revenue of 2,129.8691 million yuan, an increase of 85.32% over the same period last year; net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 1,337.6722 million yuan, an increase of 257.32% over the same period last year. As of March 31, 2026, the company’s total assets were 19,688.8316 million yuan, and the net assets attributable to shareholders of the listed company were 10,825.4666 million yuan. Revenue composition: For January–March 2026, the proportion of operating revenue from the company’s main ore products to total operating revenue was as follows: ore-derived silver RMB1,410.11 million, accounting for 66.21%; ore-derived tin RMB234.04 million, 10.99%; ore-derived zinc RMB228.12 million, 10.71%; ore-derived lead RMB71.85 million, 3.37%; ore-derived antimony RMB53.10 million, 2.49%; ore-derived gold RMB51.02 million, 2.40%; ore-derived iron RMB44.17 million, 2.07%; ore-derived copper RMB35.65 million, 1.67%; ore-derived indium RMB524,100, 0.02%; of which, ore-derived tin and ore-derived silver combined accounted for 77.19%. Xingye Silver&Tin stated in its Q1 report: Operating profit for the current period increased by 238.16% compared with the previous period, total profit increased by 236.36%, and net profit attributable to owners of the parent company increased by 257.32%; the main reasons were: Selling prices of the company’s main ore products such as silver and tin rose YoY during the reporting period; Yubang Mining’s capacity was gradually released, leading to a significant YoY increase in ore-derived silver production and sales volume; the transfer of a 60% equity interest in Shuangyuan Nonferrous resulted in investment income of RMB321 million. Xingye Silver&Tin’s published 2025 annual report shows that in 2025, the company achieved operating revenue of RMB5,555.25 million, up 30.09% YoY; total profit of RMB2,096.24 million, up 18.75% YoY; and net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company of RMB1,704.24 million, up 11.40% YoY. According to Xingye Silver&Tin’s announcement: In 2025, the proportion of operating revenue from the company’s main ore products to total operating revenue was as follows: ore-derived silver RMB2,175.78 million, accounting for 39.17%; ore-derived tin RMB1,649.64 million, 29.70%; ore-derived zinc RMB975.87 million, 17.57%; ore-derived lead RMB220.95 million, 3.98%; ore-derived iron RMB180.38 million, 3.25%; ore-derived copper RMB133.00 million, 2.39%; ore-derived antimony RMB100.36 million, 1.81%; ore-derived gold RMB82.34 million, 1.48%; ore-derived bismuth RMB16.67 million, 0.30%; of which, ore-derived tin and ore-derived silver combined accounted for 68.86%. Regarding its main business and key performance drivers, Xingye Silver&Tin stated in its 2025 annual report: "The company is a large-scale mining group principally engaged in the exploration, mining and mineral processing of non-ferrous metals and precious metals."As of the disclosure date of this report, the Company has more than 20 subsidiaries, including 8 in-production mining companies, namely Yinman Mining, Qianjinda Mining, Yubang Mining, Rongguan Mining, Xilin Mining, Rongbang Mining, Ruineng Mining, and Bosheng Mining; the Achmmach tin mine of Atlas Tin SAS under Atlantic Tin is in the construction phase; Tanghe Shidai Mining is in the suspension phase; Yitong Mining and Yunnan Xingui are in the exploration phase. Hainan Fund is mainly engaged in equity investment management; Xingye Gold (Hong Kong) is principally involved in metals and mining trade and enterprise mergers and acquisitions, and is responsible for expanding markets outside China and acquiring high-quality mineral resources ex-China; Hainan Guomao and Tianjin Guomao are mainly engaged in the sale of non-ferrous metal ore products and the procurement of some raw materials; Xingye Ruijin primarily conducts process research, technology R&D, and upgrading in areas such as prospecting, mining and dressing, and the comprehensive recycling and utilization of tailings. Tibet Shannan Antimony & Gold, Tibet Xinda Mining, and Hinggan League Fuxingtun Mining serve as the Company's regional resource integration platforms. During the reporting period, the Company successfully acquired an 85% equity stake in Yubang Mining. Based on statistics as of the end of 2023 compiled by The Silver Institute, the Yubang single-silver mine ranks first in Asia and fifth globally. This acquisition further strengthened the Company's resource advantages and laid a solid resource foundation for its sustainable development. Simultaneously, using its subsidiary Xingye Gold (Hong Kong) as the investment vehicle, the Company intensified its investment in mineral resources ex-China and successfully acquired a 100% equity stake in Atlantic Tin. This acquisition is a key measure in implementing the Company's "going global" strategy. According to the classification criteria for large-scale tin mines in the "Standards for Classification of Mineral Resources/Reserves Scale" (DZ/T 0400-2022), the Achmmach tin mine owned by Atlantic Tin is now equivalent to 5 large deposits. Through this integration of tin resources outside China, the Company has further improved its international tin mining footprint and reserved significant strategic resources for its long-term development. The Company's primary source of performance is its non-ferrous metal mining and dressing business. During the reporting period, revenue from the non-ferrous metal mining and dressing segment accounted for 99.64% of total operating revenue in 2025. Key factors affecting the operating performance of this segment include the production and sales volumes of major products, market prices, and the costs of the non-ferrous metal and precious metal mining and dressing business. Regarding its operating plan, Xingye Silver&Tin stated in its 2025 annual report: 2026 is the final year of the Company's "Second Three-Year" Plan. The Board of Directors will focus closely on the theme of high-quality development, fully implement established work targets, continue to deepen the concept of "Trust and Collaboration," and make every effort to achieve the final targets of the "Second Three-Year" Plan, with an emphasis on the following tasks: 1. Uphold the bottom line of safety and environmental protection. Using the 2026 "Year of Safety Management Implementation" initiative as a lever, comprehensively consolidate safety responsibilities, reinforce the achievements of the "Collective Calm Year in Safety," strengthen risk anticipation and process control, and resolutely prevent all types of safety and environmental incidents to achieve safe, steady, green, and low-carbon development. 2. Fully advance the construction of key projects, strengthen whole-process management of project budgets, schedules, and quality, and coordinate the implementation of the Yinman Mining 2.97 million mt expansion, the Yubang Mining 8.25 million mt expansion, the Morocco project, the Budong Yin’gen Mining (entrusted) project, and others, ensuring they are completed on schedule to reach full production and release capacity benefits. 3. Continuously strengthen exploration and reserve expansion, properly balance production operations with geological exploration, steadily advance exploration in existing mines and surrounding areas, accelerate the conversion and upgrading of resources into reserves, and constantly consolidate the resource base. 4. Deepen industrial synergy and resource integration, leverage the core regional advantages of Inner Mongolia, and steadily expand resource deployment outside China; adhere to the focus on silver and tin as the main business, enriching and optimizing resource varieties. Solidly promote the subsequent acquisition and integration of Weiling Co., actively track high-quality mineral project opportunities in and outside China, and enhance overall competitiveness through synergistic industrial M&A. 5. Further strengthen institutional enforcement and internal control management, drive the effective implementation of all systems, processes, and control requirements, and improve the company’s lean management; strengthen enforcement, ensuring production plans, comprehensive budgets, and all work deployments are fully executed, and promote the deep integration of corporate culture with business management. 6. Fully advance preparations for the Hong Kong stock listing, accelerate the establishment of dual capital market platforms at home and abroad, enhance cross-border capital operation capabilities, provide stronger financial support for the company’s resource integration and strategy execution, and push the company’s high-quality sustainable development to a new level. Looking back at the price performance of tin in 2025 and Q1 this year, we can see: the average price of SMM 1# tin spot on December 31, 2025 was 326,450 yuan/mt, up 80,450 yuan/mt from the average of 246,000 yuan/mt on December 31, 2024, for a 32.7% increase in 2025. The SMM 1# tin spot price on March 31 this year was 371,550 yuan/mt, up 45,100 yuan/mt from the average of 326,450 yuan/mt on December 31, 2025, for a 13.82% increase in Q1 this year. As for tin spot prices: SMM 1# tin spot was quoted at 408,500–411,000 yuan/mt, with an average price of 409,750 yuan/mt, up 0.11% from the previous trading day. On July 9, tin market transactions displayed phased characteristics along with futures fluctuations. Throughout the day, futures maintained wild swings; when intraday prices dipped to near 400,000 yuan/mt, spot transactions recovered slightly from the previous trading day, with some enterprises showing tentative purchase willingness and making small-scale purchases. However, as futures prices rose and surged in the afternoon, the buyer’s chasing-high sentiment rapidly cooled. Overall, the current tin market trend remains closely tied to macro sentiment. From a fundamental perspective, however, the release of downstream rigid demand during the recent price correction consumed some spot cargo supply, resulting in a stalemate between low inventory and weak trading. In the near term, the most-traded SHFE tin contract is expected to maintain a fluctuating trend. Looking back at the spot price performance of silver in 2025 and Q1 2026, the SMM 1# silver (Ag99.99%) average price on December 31, 2025 was 18,430 yuan/kg, and on December 31, 2024 was 7,440 yuan/kg, with the average price rising by 10,990 yuan/kg in 2025, a gain of 147.71%. The SMM 1# silver price on March 31 was 18,341 yuan/kg, which fell by 89 yuan/kg (down 0.48%) compared to the December 31, 2025 average of 18,430 yuan/kg. In the silver spot market on July 9, some suppliers began offering at premiums. Overall demand was weak, resulting in sluggish trading, with downstream transactions mainly driven by negotiations. Morning quotes in Shanghai were concentrated around parity to a premium of 10 yuan/kg against the TD contract. Large producers’ delivery brand offers were firm, but actual transaction prices might dip toward the lower end. In Shenzhen, some nationally-standard sources were quoted around a small discount to a premium of 5 yuan/kg against the TD contract, with small premium quotes being cleared quickly. Premiums against the most-traded SHFE 2608 contract were quoted at a discount of 15 to 35 yuan/kg on the day. Overall, the precious metals macro trend was falling under pressure, weighed down by both heightened geopolitical risks and divergence among US Fed policy stances. Spot premiums weakened slightly, with transactions leaning toward parity. Demand was soft, reflecting a ‘rush to buy amid continuous price rise and hold back amid price downturn’ mentality in the market. Recommended Reads:

SMM Alumina Morning Comment 7.06 Futures: Overnight, the most-traded alumina 2609 futures contract bottomed out and rebounded, hitting a low of 2,705 yuan/mt before staging a strong rebound, eventually closing at 2,820 yuan/mt, edging up 1 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The daily candlestick formed a bullish candlestick with a long lower shadow, indicating strong support at the 2,700 yuan/mt level. From a moving averages perspective, the current price at 2,820 yuan/mt has risen above MA5 (2748.2) and MA40 (2815.55), but remains under resistance from MA10 (2790.8) and MA20 (2839.3). The short-term moving averages (MA5/MA10) are in a bearish alignment, while the medium-term MA20 still forms resistance above, indicating a tug-of-war between longs and shorts. The price oscillated around MA40. If it breaks through the MA20 (2839.3) resistance on high volume, it is expected to open up upside room; conversely, if it repeatedly fails to break through, caution is needed for a pullback to test the MA5 (2748.2) support. Overall, the futures show a consolidating pattern of 'bottoming out to confirm support while resistance persists above.' The short-term directional move will depend on volume confirmation and the battle at MA20. Ore market: As of July 3, 2026, the SMM Imported Bauxite Index was reported at $70.11/mt, up $0.13/mt from the previous trading day; the SMM Guinea FOB average price was $39/mt, flat from the previous trading day; the SMM Guinea bauxite CIF average price was $71/mt, flat; the SMM Australian low-temperature bauxite CIF average price was $64/mt, flat; the SMM Australian high-temperature bauxite CIF average price was $58.5/mt, flat; the Malaysian bauxite CIF average price was $52/mt, flat; the Malaysian bauxite CIF (washed) average price was $62.5/mt, flat; the Ghanaian bauxite CIF price was $78/mt, flat; the Turkish bauxite CFR price was $76/mt, down $2.5/mt from the previous Friday. Overall, for domestic ore, mine operations in Shanxi, Henan and other regions have recovered somewhat, and combined with falling alumina prices, sentiment among alumina refineries to push for lower raw material prices has strengthened, causing domestic ore prices to decline from earlier levels. As of July 2, in Shanxi, the EXW crushing plant price of bauxite with Al/Si ratio of 5.0 and alumina content of 60%, excluding VAT, was around 530-550 yuan/mt, with the average price up 10 yuan/mt MoM; in Henan, similar bauxite with Al/Si ratio of 5.0 and 60% alumina content, EXW crushing plant price, excluding VAT, was around 500-540 yuan/mt, with the average price up 20 yuan/mt MoM; in Guiyang, bauxite with Al/Si ratio of 6.0 and 60% alumina content, EXW price including VAT, was at 490-540 yuan/mt, with the average price up 20 yuan/mt MoM; in Guangxi, bauxite with Al/Si ratio of 6.0 and 53% alumina content, EXW crushing plant price excluding VAT, was at 320-335 yuan/mt. Imported ore side, uncertainties around Guinea’s July long-term contract prices and quota policies, combined with the traditional rainy season, prompted some mines to control shipments, lending some support to ore prices. Meanwhile, alumina refineries in China still held high inventories (equivalent to around 95 days), which limited their purchase willingness, and the tug-of-war over offer/bid prices between buyers and sellers persisted. In the short term, ore prices are expected to consolidate at highs. Going forward, close attention should be paid to the implementation of Guinea’s bauxite quota policy and the trend of ocean freight rates. Spot Prices: As of July 3, 2026, the SMM alumina index was at 2,773.71 yuan/mt, down 0.94 yuan/mt MoM; the SMM Shandong alumina index was at 2,791.91 yuan/mt, down 0.34 yuan/mt MoM; the SMM Henan alumina index was at 2,818.66 yuan/mt, down 1.73 yuan/mt MoM; the SMM Shanxi alumina index was at 2,829.98 yuan/mt, down 1.99 yuan/mt MoM; the SMM Guizhou alumina index was at 2,747.77 yuan/mt, down 1.59 yuan/mt MoM; the SMM Guangxi alumina index was at 2,674.59 yuan/mt, down 0.80 yuan/mt MoM. Daily Spot-Futures Spread: According to SMM data, on July 3, the SMM alumina index stood at a premium of 47.71 yuan/mt against the most-traded contract’s latest traded price at 11:30 a.m. Warrant Daily: On July 3, total registered alumina warrants increased by 6,312 mt from the previous trading day to 271,600 mt. In Shandong, total registered alumina warrants remained flat at 32,417 mt; in Henan, they held steady at 17,698 mt; in Guangxi, they were unchanged at 8,429 mt; in Gansu, they stayed flat at 11,704 mt; in Xinjiang, they rose by 6,312 mt to 201,300 mt. Markets outside China: As of July 3, 2026, the FOB Western Australia alumina price was $330/mt, the ocean freight rate was $32.30/mt, and the USD/CNY selling rate stood near 6.79. This translates to a selling price of approximately 2,863.50 yuan/mt at major Chinese ports, 89.79 yuan/mt above the SMM alumina index. Summary: Total alumina inventory in China edged up MoM, with relatively small overall changes. Breaking it down, raw material inventory at aluminum smelters declined, mainly because some smelters actively reduced high-priced in-factory inventories amid elevated spot alumina prices, leading to lower raw material stockpiling. In-factory inventory at alumina refineries edged up, as maintenance-related production cuts in Shanxi were offset by output increases in south China, resulting in limited overall changes. At ports, new vessels arrived successively, increasing port inventory. Warrant inventory trended downwards as the willingness to deliver to delivery warehouses waned due to invoice issuance issues and the spot-futures price spread. Inventory in transit and at yard stocks accumulated, mainly because warrants gradually matured and converted into spot cargoes, coupled with continued shipments from Guangxi, resulting in an increase in in-transit cargoes. The operational landscape for alumina is expected to see relatively small changes this week. Some enterprises using domestic ore may schedule maintenance due to ore supply-side issues, but the impact on monthly production will be limited, and overall inventory levels are expected to remain at current levels. On the price front, as the regional alumina mismatch problem gradually eases, the spot price center is likely to pull back, with the subsequent trend coming under pressure [All data other than publicly available information is derived from public data, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, processed by SMM for reference purposes only and does not constitute any decision-making advice.]

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has signed an MoU with Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche for a €300 million investment to develop an aluminum foil plant and a Centre of Excellence in Ghana’s Tema Integrated Industrial Park. The proposed aluminum foil rolling plant will have capacity of 40,000–45,000 tpy across ten value-added foil product categories serving packaging, pharmaceutical, food service, and industrial markets. The project aims to strengthen Ghana’s integrated aluminum value chain by leveraging proximity to VALCO’s smelting operations and Tema Port while promoting technology transfer, skills development, and export-oriented manufacturing.

Taking Energy Fuels' $1.9 billion acquisition of Germany-based VAC as a starting point, this article systematically reviews the US's recent acquisition trajectory for mature international rare earth assets. From taking a controlling stake in the Serra Verde heavy rare earth mine in Brazil and acquiring the UK's LCM alloy plant, to securing capacity from Australia's Lynas, the US is leveraging state capital to bypass lengthy certification cycles through cross-border acquisitions, building a non-China "mining-refining-magnet" supply chain. The article notes that although the $110/kg government price anchor has rewritten project IRR models, Western magnet capacity accounts for only 15% of the global total, and the heavy rare earth closed loop cannot be verified until after 2027, making it difficult to shake China's dominance in the short term.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM data show that China's total manganese ore imports in May 2026 amounted to 2.7278 million mt, down 3.06% MoM and 7.32% YoY. In January-May 2026, total manganese ore imports reached approximately 14.4745 million mt, up 2.699 million mt YoY (compared with about 11.7755 million mt in January-May 2025), an increase of 22.92% YoY. Specifically, Australian ore imports were 489,500 mt, up 42.79% MoM; South African ore 1.5865 million mt, up 3.15% MoM; Gabonese ore 276,800 mt, up 36.8% MoM; Ghanaian ore 171,800 mt, down 61.57% MoM; Brazilian ore 132,900 mt, up 21.3% MoM, Myanmar ore 57,400 mt, down 0.68% MoM.

Imported Bauxite Prices As of May 25, 2026, SMM overseas bauxite prices were generally stable with slight upward movement. Supported by rising energy and seaborne freight costs, prices of some imported bauxite cargoes edged up. However, domestic alumina refineries maintained relatively high raw material inventories, while downstream acceptance of high-priced resources remained limited. Market transactions were mainly driven by rigid demand. Among them, the SMM Imported Bauxite CIF Index (converted to 45/3 grade) stood at $67.61/mt, up $0.09/mt MoM, with the monthly price range at $67.52-67.85/mt. By product, Guinea bauxite FOB price (converted to 45/3 grade) stood at $38/mt, flat MoM, with prices remaining largely stable since the beginning of May. Guinea bauxite CIF price (converted to 45/3 grade) stood at $68/mt, up $0.05/mt MoM, with the monthly price range at $67-68/mt. Australia bauxite CIF price (49-50/6-7 grade) stood at $62/mt, while Australia high-temperature bauxite CIF price (51-52/8-10 grade) stood at $56.50/mt, both flat MoM. Türkiye bauxite CFR price (54/6 grade) stood at $78.50/mt, up $2.50/mt MoM, rising from $76/mt to $78.50/mt during the month. Malaysia bauxite CIF price (37-41/5-6 grade) stood at $52/mt, Malaysia washed bauxite CIF price (37-41/5-6 grade) stood at $62.50/mt, and Ghana bauxite CIF price (47-51/5-6 grade) stood at $78/mt, with prices remaining stable during the month. Bauxite Imports and Exports According to customs data, China imported 19.743 million mt of bauxite in April 2026, down 9.4% MoM and 4.6% YoY. From January to April 2026, China’s cumulative bauxite imports reached 77.728 million mt, up 14.7% YoY. By country, China imported 16.423 million mt of bauxite from Guinea in April 2026, down 9.4% MoM and 1.9% YoY. From January to April 2026, China’s cumulative bauxite imports from Guinea reached 62.964 million mt, up 18.5% YoY. Guinea remained the major source of China’s bauxite imports. In terms of shipments, as of May 22, the average daily bauxite shipment volume from major Guinean ports fell to 559,000 mt/day, down around 21.8% MoM. Taking into account the shipping schedule transmission period, domestic bauxite arrivals are expected to gradually decline from late June, with a relatively significant decrease in domestic bauxite arrivals expected in July. Market Impact Factors In May 2026, overseas bauxite prices were mainly affected by three factors: expectations surrounding Guinea’s export policy, rising energy and seaborne freight costs, and the restraint on procurement appetite caused by high bauxite inventories at domestic alumina refineries. First, Guinea’s bauxite export quota policy remained a key market focus. Earlier, market rumours suggested that the Guinean government might implement a bauxite export quota policy around the May Day holiday, which could support Guinea bauxite prices by restricting shipment volumes. However, as the relevant policy has yet to be officially implemented, its marginal impact on market sentiment has weakened. Market participants have also become less active in pricing and stockpiling based on this factor. Second, rising energy and seaborne freight costs provided some support for overseas bauxite prices. Affected by geopolitical disruptions, international oil prices remained at high levels, pushing up mine land transportation, seaborne freight, and production operating costs. According to SMM survey, freight rates from Guinea to China rose from around $34/wmt in April to $36-37.5/wmt during May, significantly lifting shipment costs for mines and traders. Against the backdrop of increasing cost pressure, some mines and traders saw weaker shipment enthusiasm, while the market also observed a slowdown in shipment pace. Third, raw material inventories at domestic alumina refineries remained relatively high, limiting their acceptance of high-priced imported bauxite. Currently, bauxite inventories at domestic alumina refineries generally remain above three months. Downstream procurement is mainly based on rigid demand, while willingness to chase high-priced resources remains weak. Although some long-term contract prices for Guinea-to-China cargoes were around $70/mt in May, SMM survey showed that some downstream alumina refineries’ intended procurement prices for spot cargoes were still concentrated around $65-67/mt, indicating that the price gap between buyers and sellers remained significant. Price Outlook On the supply side, energy and seaborne freight costs remain high, providing certain support for overseas bauxite prices. Meanwhile, the phased decline in shipment volumes from major Guinean ports may gradually transmit to China’s arrival volume. On the demand side, bauxite inventories at domestic alumina refineries remain relatively sufficient, and the likelihood of a sharp increase in their procurement price expectations in the short term is limited. The price negotiation between buyers and sellers remains relatively evident. SMM expects overseas bauxite prices to fluctuate at high levels in the short term. Going forward, attention should be paid to changes in Guinea shipments, seaborne freight trends, the pace of inventory consumption at domestic alumina refineries, and changes in procurement sentiment.

Imported Bauxite Prices As of May 25, 2026, ex-China bauxite prices generally remained stable with a slight upward trend. Affected by rising energy and ocean freight costs, some imported ore prices edged up. However, raw material inventory at China's alumina refineries stayed high, and downstream acceptance of high-priced resources was limited, with market transactions still dominated by just-in-time procurement. Among them, the SMM imported bauxite CIF index (converted to 45/3 grade) was quoted at $67.61/mt, up $0.09/mt MoM, with the monthly price range at $67.52-67.85/mt. By variety, Guinea bauxite FOB prices (converted to 45/3 grade) were quoted at $38/mt, flat MoM, with prices remaining stable since May. Guinea bauxite CIF prices (converted to 45/3 grade) were quoted at $68/mt, up $0.05/mt MoM, with the monthly price range at $67-68/mt. Australia bauxite CIF prices (49-50/6-7 grade) were quoted at $62/mt, and Australia high-temperature bauxite CIF prices (51-52/8-10 grade) were quoted at $56.5/mt, both flat MoM. Turkey bauxite CFR prices (54/6 grade) were quoted at $78.5/mt, up $2.5/mt MoM, with prices rising from $76/mt to $78.5/mt within the month. Malaysia bauxite CIF prices (37-41/5-6 grade) were quoted at $52/mt, Malaysia washed bauxite CIF prices (37-41/5-6 grade) were quoted at $62.5/mt, and Ghana bauxite CIF prices (47-51/5-6 grade) were quoted at $78/mt, all remaining stable within the month. Bauxite Imports and Exports Customs data showed that in April 2026, China imported 19.743 million mt of bauxite, down 9.4% MoM and down 4.6% YoY. From January to April 2026, China's cumulative bauxite imports totalled 77.728 million mt, up 14.7% YoY. By country, in April 2026, China imported 16.423 million mt of bauxite from Guinea, down 9.4% MoM and down 1.9% YoY. From January to April 2026, China's cumulative bauxite imports from Guinea totalled 62.964 million mt, up 18.5% YoY. Guinea remained the primary source country for China's bauxite imports. Shipment side, as of May 22, daily average bauxite shipments from Guinea's main ports fell to 559,000 mt/day, down approximately 21.8% MoM. Considering the shipping schedule transmission cycle, China's bauxite port arrivals are expected to gradually pull back from late June, with a notable decline expected in July. Analysis of Market Influencing Factors In May 2026, ex-China bauxite prices were mainly affected by three factors: Guinea's export policy expectations, rising energy and ocean freight costs, and high inventory at China's alumina refineries suppressing purchase willingness. First, Guinea's bauxite export quota policy remained a market focus. Earlier, there were market rumours that the Guinean government might implement the bauxite export quota policy around the Labour Day holiday, driving up Guinea bauxite prices by restricting shipments. However, as the relevant policy had yet to be officially implemented, its marginal impact on market sentiment weakened, and market participants' enthusiasm for pricing and stockpiling based on this factor also declined. Second, rising energy and ocean freight costs provided some support for ex-China ore prices. Affected by geopolitical disruptions, international oil prices fluctuated at highs, and mine overland transport, ocean freight, and production operating costs all rose. According to an SMM survey, ocean freight rates from Guinea to China rose from approximately $34/wmt in April to $36-37.5/wmt in May, significantly pushing up shipping costs for mines and traders. Against the backdrop of increasing cost pressure, some mines and traders showed reduced enthusiasm for shipments, and the market also saw a slowdown in shipping pace. Third, raw material inventory at China's alumina refineries remained at a relatively high level, limiting acceptance of high-priced imported ore. Currently, bauxite inventory at China's alumina refineries stood at over 3 months, with downstream buyers mainly making just-in-time procurement and showing weak willingness to rush to buy amid continuous price rise. Although some long-term contract prices from Guinea to China were around $70/mt in May, an SMM survey found that some downstream alumina refineries' intended prices for spot bauxite purchases were still concentrated around $65-67/mt, with significant price divergence between buyers and sellers. Price Outlook Supply side, energy and ocean freight costs stayed high, providing some support for ex-China bauxite prices. Meanwhile, shipments from Guinea's main ports pulled back on a phased basis, which may gradually transmit to China's port arrival side. Demand side, bauxite inventory at China's alumina refineries remained relatively sufficient, with limited possibility of significantly raising procurement target prices in the short term, and notable bargaining between high- and low-priced resources persisted in the market. SMM expects that ex-China bauxite prices will hover at highs in the near term. Continued attention should be paid to changes in Guinea's shipments, ocean freight rate trends, the pace of inventory drawdown at China's alumina refineries, and shifts in procurement sentiment.

Data published on the online customs statistics query platform showed that China's refined tin imports in April 2026 were 2,801.99 mt, down 14.77% MoM and up 148.41% YoY. China imported 2,308.09 mt of refined tin from Indonesia in April, up 6.39% MoM and up 124.43% YoY. China imported 200.07 mt of refined tin from Peru in April, down 61.93% MoM. Export side, China's refined tin exports in April 2026 were 2,109.01 mt, down 3.76% MoM and up 28.85% YoY. China exported 279.51 mt of refined tin to South Korea in April, down 1.96% MoM and down 20.42% YoY. Below is a breakdown of export data compiled from the General Administration of Customs website: Destination April 2026 (mt) MoM YoY Hong Kong, China 1,010.22 -18.14% 2,435.70% South Korea 279.51 -1.96% -20.42% India 199.52 - 59.85% Japan 149.45 3.34% -55.34% Vietnam 140.05 22.86% 168.67% Spain 75.28 - - Malaysia 69.69 -43.99% 12.04% Poland 49.95 - 99.29% Thailand 47.88 -46.62% -61.96% Singapore 41.25 65.94% 104.82% Taiwan, China 29.75 -80.78% -84.31% Nigeria 8.06 1.03% 0.60% Philippines 4.96 - -1.51% Tanzania 2 - - Ghana 1 - - Myanmar 0.38 - - Tunisia 0.04 - - US 0.03 -44.68% - Total 2,109.01 -3.76% 28.85% Data source: General Administration of Customs (Wenhua Comprehensive)

According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China's total manganese ore imports in April 2026 were 2.814 million mt, down 11.61% MoM and down 5.29% YoY. From January to April 2026, total manganese ore imports were approximately 11.7467 million mt, up 1.9144 million mt YoY (approximately 8.8323 million mt imported from January to April 2025), up 33.00% YoY. Specifically, South African ore was 1.5381 million mt (down 17.02% MoM), Ghanaian ore 447,000 mt (up 127.24% MoM), Australian ore 342,800 mt (down 13.37% MoM), Gabonese ore 202,400 mt (down 55.26% MoM), Brazilian ore 109,600 mt (up 15.52% MoM), and Myanmar ore 57,800 mt (up 7.15% MoM).

North American lithium producer Elevra Lithium Limited has announced that it will sell its entire interest in the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana to Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co Ltd. Under the agreement, the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, with Elevra receiving approximately US$71 million in cash (before fees and taxes). The sale includes all of its rights and interests in the project, as well as associated offtake rights. Meanwhile, Huayou also plans to acquire Atlantic Lithium Limited to gain full control of the project, although the two transactions are independent of each other. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals in Ghana.