A U.S. startup called Valor is developing electrochemical liquid extraction technology to recover copper and other metals from ores and electronic waste. The process aims to reduce energy use and pollution compared with conventional smelting. The company plans to build its first commercial facility in Houston.

Overall, supply in China’s petroleum coke market continued to tighten, while downstream demand remained generally stable with support, and supply and demand fundamentals provided two-way support to the market. Coupled with recent fluctuations in crude oil prices and intensified cost-side bargaining, SMM expected that in the short term, the petroleum coke market would mainly remain in consolidation, with prices of different categories continuing to diverge.

To standardize the recycling and treatment of waste electrical and electronic products and effectively prevent and reduce environmental pollution, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently issued the "Technical Specification for Pollution Control in the Treatment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products" (HJ 527—2026). The specification is expected to take effect on March 1 this year.

The diffusion conditions in Qinhuangdao City improved in the afternoon of February 28, and the pollution level eased.

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) received a disturbing video early on June 24, 2024, showing the greenish-coloured, polluted waters of the Rio Cobre at Zephyrton, St. Catherine.

Tangshan Heavy Pollution Weather Response Headquarters issued an announcement on March 1 that due to the influence of cold air in recent days

[SMM Lead Morning Meeting Summary: Heavy Pollution Weather Disrupts Refined Lead Supply, SHFE Lead Stabilizes After Decline] This week marks the week prior to the delivery of the SHFE lead 2503 contract. SHFE lead strengthened, approaching the level of 17,500 yuan/mt, while spot market transactions were weaker than futures. The spread between futures and spot prices is not expected to narrow for now. Branded lead continues to be transferred to delivery warehouses, and social inventory of lead ingots has risen as expected. On the supply side, the resumption and restriction of production coexist at primary and secondary lead smelters, with significant regional differences in lead ingot supply between the north and south.

[SMM News Flash] Recently, due to temperature inversion and stable weather conditions, atmospheric dispersion conditions have been poor. Starting from January 5, 2025, a regional heavy pollution process is expected to occur in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas. Based on forecasts, predictions, and consultation assessments, the Heavy Pollution Weather Emergency Leadership Group of (Linyi) City has decided to issue an orange alert for heavy pollution weather at 10:00 on January 5, 2025, and simultaneously initiate a Level II emergency response for heavy pollution weather. According to SMM, local secondary lead smelters are currently in a state of shutdown, and environmental protection-related controls are not expected to affect lead production.

[SMM Lead Morning Meeting Summary: Heavy Pollution Weather Disrupts Refined Lead Supply, SHFE Lead Stabilizes After Decline] This week marks the week prior to the delivery of the SHFE lead 2503 contract. SHFE lead strengthened, approaching the 17,500 yuan/mt level, while spot market transactions were weaker than futures. The spread between futures and spot prices is not expected to narrow for now. Branded lead continues to be transferred to delivery warehouses, and social inventories of lead ingots have risen as anticipated. On the supply side, primary lead and secondary lead smelters are simultaneously resuming production and limiting output, with significant regional differences in lead ingot supply between the north and south.

According to the provincial Environmental Protection Committee Office's requirements for strengthening regional emergency coordination, and in conjunction with the "Zhuzhou City Heavy Pollution Weather Emergency Plan," with the approval of the municipal government, Zhuzhou City has decided to upgrade the heavy pollution weather yellow alert, which was initiated at 6:00 PM on December 31 last year, to an orange alert starting from 5:00 PM on January 3. The Level II orange response measures will be activated, and the specific time for lifting the alert will be announced later based on the results of consultations and assessments by the provincial and municipal authorities. It is reported that the furnace operating rate of some local enterprises has been restricted under these circumstances, and the production of die-casting zinc alloy has also been affected to some extent, with inventory potentially showing a downward trend. SMM will continue to provide follow-up reports.