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Chinese users turn to off-exchange to ease supply tightness

China will import even more off-exchange refined copper this year, according to analysts and traders, as output from the Congo booms and users look to alleviate shortages and head off a potential disruption to supplies of U.S. scrap.

“The supply of refined copper, including scrap, concentrate, anode and blister, is still tight. We therefore expect higher imports of plentiful refined copper, including EQ copper to partly compensate for this tightness in other raw materials,” Jonathan Barnes, principal analyst at metals research company Project Blue said.

Source – Reuters

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    Mining giant BHP Group flagged rising costs and delays at a giant potash project in Canada and said it may sell its Australian nickel operations, as it reported record annual iron ore and copper production.

    The company said Friday it faces rising costs at the Jansen potash project in Canada’s Saskatchewan province, its only major development currently under construction.

    The company said it is also reviewing Jansen’s second stage, which is roughly 11% complete. BHP may delay first production from that expansion by two years, to fiscal 2031, because it reckons there might be more potash supply coming into the market over the medium term than previously envisaged.

    BHP said it expects to produce between 1.8 million and 2.0 million tons of copper in the year ahead.

    Source – The Wall Street Journal

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    Gold down, tariff could extend, Silver fell

    Gold eased on Wednesday as risk appetite improved after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Japan ahead of an impending tariff deadline, though a soft dollar and lower Treasury yields capped losses for greenback-priced bullion.

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    Newmont gold miner shares in the green

    Shares in the gold miner are currently swapping hands at $76.60 apiece, more than 2% higher from the open as investors process the numbers.

    2024 was a transformational year for Newmont, as we focused on the integration of the Newcrest portfolio, divestment of our non-core assets, and transitioning the business onto a stable operating and investment platform.

    We have deliberately streamlined Newmont into the world’s best collection of Tier 1 gold assets, with a strong foundation of operational and financial performance. Our record fourth quarter gave a glimpse into the promising potential of the business and allowed Newmont to deliver record operating cash flows.

    Source – The Motley Fool