Copper price: Global stocks are down to three days’ consumption

October 2021’s copper squeeze sent the bellwether metal into record territory – now warehouses again only have enough metal to last a long weekend.

Frik Els | February 9, 2022 | 9:11 am

This chart says industrial metals prices have far to fall

Unless there’s been a major decoupling of copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum prices and Chinese manufacturing activity, declines of as much as 40% may be in the offing.

Frik Els | January 31, 2022 | 2:48 pm

Tesla’s not working on that $25,000 car – here’s why

R.I.P. Model 2.

Frik Els | January 28, 2022 | 12:13 pm

Add another 1m tonnes to annual copper demand from EVs

2021 saw a surge in new electrodeposited copper foil manufacturing capacity – just one use leading to a 5-fold increase in copper demand from EVs over the next decade.

Frik Els | January 27, 2022 | 3:09 pm

CHARTS: Tesla v Volkswagen v BYD – battery power, lithium, nickel, cobalt use

Most ambitious European automaker and Warren Buffet-backed Chinese EV and battery manufacturer unlapped themselves in 2021, at best.

Frik Els | January 25, 2022 | 10:14 am

RANKED: Top 20 EVs of 2021 – costs jump as lithium, cobalt, nickel prices surge

Ranking of world’s 20 best selling electric cars and their battery metals show automakers grappling with soaring raw material prices.

Frik Els | January 13, 2022 | 4:47 pm

Five charts ask if mining is in a supercycle, one screams no

The green energy transition necessitate massive new investments in mining, but how does today’s boom stack up to the aughts?

Frik Els | December 9, 2021 | 1:19 pm

CHART: Dwindling copper, zinc, nickel stocks could shield prices from omicron impact

Copper, nickel and zinc prices could be saved from worst effects of any new virus-related restrictions as historically low global stockpiles intensify fears of supply disruption.

Frik Els | November 29, 2021 | 1:17 pm

CHARTS: Mining’s fattest margins

New report expects gold mining companies to enjoy their best margins in history next year, while copper miners should enjoy another year of 100% gaps.

Frik Els | November 22, 2021 | 4:46 pm

Copper price slides to lowest since March 2021 as recession fears rattle the market

This chart shows copper price could dive 28% going into 2022

New report argues rising mine supply, steep fall in demand from China’s property sector and shifting global consumption patterns away from goods to services will send copper prices skidding.

Frik Els | November 15, 2021 | 10:01 pm