China's major copper smelters lowered production in June by 3.6% from the previous month due to seasonal maintenance.

China's recycled steel imports hit 114,741 million tonnes in May, more than 28 times the volume seen in January when the country lifted import restrictions on ferrous scrap.

Seaborne coal has become a quiet winner among energy commodities, lacking the attention of higher-profile crude oil and LNG.

Benchmark iron ore futures in China tumbled on Friday and logged their fourth straight weekly fall.

Copper prices ticked up on Friday as the US dollar pulled back from a three-month high.

EVE, based in Huizhou in southern China, said in an exchange filing it planned to take 28.1% equity in Jinkulun Lithium Industry Co, which makes lithium metal in China.

A major steel producer in eastern China had been urged to idle its blast furnaces after a central government inspection, according to Reuters.

More sales will be arranged in the near term to ensure market stability, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration said in a statement.