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Huawei Pursues Africa Green‑Mining Partnerships and Holds Business Talks with ZESCO at SMM ACM 2026
The SMM Africa Critical Minerals Conference 2026 (ACM2026) , hosted by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), wrapped up with great success in Lusaka, Zambia on September 15‑16. Focusing on the development of strategic minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium, and tin in Africa, local deep-processing transformation, green mine construction and energy infrastructure upgrading, this premium event has brought together 400+ industry representatives from Chinese and African government agencies, top miners, commodity traders, investors, and technical service providers to jointly explore high-quality development paths for Africa's critical minerals industry chain. Huawei presented its mine microgrid solution at this conference. Joseph Yao, President of Mining Micro-Grid Business at Huawei Digital Power , delivered a keynote speech titled "Eco‑Partnerships for Green African Mines: Huawei's Mine Microgrid Practices under the IPP‑PPA Model". Huawei's delegation also held business talks with ZESCO, Zambia's national power utility, covering mine energy supply, new‑energy deployment and collaborative power‑infrastructure build‑out. As the global energy transition continues to advance, the new energy industry is steadily boosting demand for critical minerals such as copper and cobalt. Africa is rich in strategic mineral resources and is accelerating its upgrade from exporting mineral raw materials to a high-value-added industry chain encompassing local smelting and deep processing. Mines, as power-intensive sites, require stable and low-cost green power supply, which has become a core factor constraining the implementation of mining projects and the release of capacity in Africa. Leveraging the IPP-PPA (independent power producer investment + long-term power purchase agreement) cooperation model, distributed new energy microgrids can provide reliable power nearby for open-pit mines and smelter sites, helping mines reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions, and supporting the implementation of Zambia's strategy for local copper ore processing. (Joseph Yao, President of Mining Micro-Grid Business at Huawei Digital Power) Joseph Yao shared an overview of Huawei and its Digital Energy business, introducing Huawei as a leading provider of ICT infrastructure and smart terminals, a technology-driven enterprise with operations across many countries worldwide, focusing on core business segments such as smart PV and grid-forming ESS. He noted that Africa's mining sector is generally plagued by power shortages. High diesel costs erode mine profit margins, unstable power supplies risk production disruptions, while ESG requirements also impose constraints on mineral exports. He proposed a three-step path for the sustainable development of African mining: Firstly, supply green electricity to mines through digital energy infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions; Secondly, electrification transition of mining equipment; Thirdly, reshape production processes through AI platforms and intelligent management systems, optimize equipment scheduling, and improve mine capacity and production efficiency. He also highlighted Huawei's mine microgrid system. Rather than a standalone piece of equipment, it is a complete energy solution integrating photovoltaic‑storage systems, intelligent dispatching, diesel backup power supplies, control systems and management software. It breaks the conventional single‑power‑source model to enable energy self‑sufficiency and efficient energy management at mining sites. Citing the large‑scale microgrid project for Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global as a case study, he explained that this city‑level microgrid achieved major technical breakthroughs underpinned by Huawei's robust in‑house R&D capabilities and power‑simulation laboratories. Huawei possesses independent R&D capacity for core power‑electronic components such as IGBTs, and delivers one‑stop services covering design, simulation and project delivery. Together with ecosystem partners, it also provides full‑lifecycle engineering consultation and on‑site implementation support. The successful delivery of this project has laid a solid foundation for microgrid deployment in mining scenarios. He specifically addressed the widespread funding pain points confronting African mining projects. Under the IPP‑PPA ecosystem model, domestic and international investors can be brought in to finance mine‑energy projects. Mining companies, as power purchasers, sign long‑term power‑purchase agreements to secure stable mine operations, while investors obtain steady returns, forming a sustainable commercial closed‑loop. In his speech, Joseph cited several African mine microgrid implementation cases. Among them, after the completion of the Kamoa-Kakula mining microgrid project in the DRC, green electricity will replace a large amount of diesel power generation, significantly reducing mine electricity costs and carbon emissions, and delivering a good return on investment. For this Chinese-funded miner's copper mine project in the DRC, microgrid upgrades sharply reduced electricity costs and significantly improved the mine's capacity utilization rate, verifying the practical value of green electricity microgrids in African mine scenarios. He summarized Huawei's three core capabilities: a globalized business platform, end-to-end one-stop microgrid solutions, and a diverse ecosystem partner system that includes investors, EPCs, and design consulting agencies. He added that Huawei is looking forward to establishing partnership with more investors to develop energy projects across Zambia and wider Africa, secure power supplies for critical‑mineral industries including copper and lithium, jointly foster green mines in Africa, and build a low‑carbon and sustainable industrial future. During the conference, the Huawei delegation held a business meeting with representatives from Zambia's national power utility ZESCO. Against the backdrop of accelerating green transformation in African mining and continuously growing power demand in mining areas, the two sides exchanged views on topics of common concern such as power infrastructure construction and new energy support, and expressed their intention to jointly explore potential areas for cooperation. Africa's mineral industry is at a critical window for industry chain upgrading. Huawei, drawing on its technological strengths in new energy and smart power, will partner with IPP investors, local power authorities and mining operators to build an open‑cooperation ecosystem. Leveraging its proven mine microgrid solutions, Huawei aims to deliver green, reliable power supplies for African mining and smelting projects, advance the low‑carbon transition of Africa’s critical minerals industry, and deepen practical China‑Africa cooperation across the mining and energy sectors.
23 hours ago
Huawei Pursues Africa Green‑Mining Partnerships and Holds Business Talks with ZESCO at SMM ACM 2026
SMM to Host  SMM (11th) Annual Nickel Conference 2026 - Ni Cr Mn Stainless Steel Event , Shanghai, Nov. 12–13
SMM to Host SMM (11th) Annual Nickel Conference 2026 - Ni Cr Mn Stainless Steel Event , Shanghai, Nov. 12–13
Introduction [Shanghai, China] - Building on the success of its previous 10 sessions, the SMM (11th) Annual Nickel Conference 2026 - Ni Cr Mn Stainless Steel Event will be held in Shanghai this November 12-13. [Scale] - Over 300+ delegates and 40+ speakers from 20+ countries will attend. [Agenda] - https://ni-cr-stainlesssteelapac.metal.com/home?fromId=265accf08c&from=58 Background: In 2026, the stainless steel market emerged from a trough. Driven by China’s anti-involution policies and expectations of nickel raw material shortages under Indonesian policies, the industry broke free from a three-year downturn, with prices rising rapidly. Stainless steel enterprises adjusted their nickel raw material ratios, leveraging the economic advantages of stainless steel scrap to expand its substitution share and gradually escape losses. However, the industry remained constrained by factors such as compliance restrictions on stainless steel scrap tax invoices and declining NPI grades, while demand for nickel replenishment further boosted the use of high-grade nickel, making structural issues increasingly prominent. On the raw material side, the nickel industry chain underwent a fundamental pattern shift in 2026, with industry logic moving from oversupply to a long-term tight balance constrained by resources and power. Market divergence intensified, and fluctuations across the industry chain became pronounced. The tightening of Indonesia’s RKAB quotas, the HPM policy driving up ore prices, and the crowding out of power supply by aluminum reversed the growth trajectory of smelting costs and supply in both China and Indonesia. Nickel prices rose in a stepwise manner in H1, with supply-demand and cost factors providing strong price support. The global ferrochrome market continued its trend of shifting eastward. China’s ferrochrome production grew steadily, maintaining the top position globally, while South Africa resumed production comprehensively with policy support. Multiple growth drivers pushed ferrochrome supply toward a surplus. The chrome ore market, supported by Middle East conflicts, saw short-term sharp price spikes; high imports pushed port ore inventory above 5 million mt, leaving spot cargo in clear surplus and prices on a downward trajectory. Increased policy uncertainty around South African mining pushed the ferrochrome market into a new cycle of supply-demand pattern adjustment. The manganese industry chain experienced significant divergence in 2026, with industry dynamics shifting from a single supply-demand game to a split pattern driven by dual demand from stainless steel and lithium batteries. Manganese ore capacity remained ample throughout the year, while production cuts in smelting and high raw material prices formed strong cost support, limiting the room for deep price declines. On the demand side, differentiation was evident: SiMn continued to replace EMM; trends in lithium-battery manganese materials diverged, with manganese sulphate receiving periodic market support while Mn3O4 terminal demand weakened under pressure. Multiple factors drove structural fluctuations, making Q4 a critical planning window for enterprise purchasing and production schedules. Currently, global nickel, ferrochrome, manganese, and stainless steel markets are intertwined with multiple variables including mining policies, energy, and downstream demand, resulting in notably wider price fluctuations. Q4 coincides with a critical period for enterprises formulating their production, procurement, and hedging plans for the following year. SMM will hold the SMM (11th) Annual Nickel Conference 2026 - Ni Cr Mn Stainless Steel Event in Shanghai from November 12-13, 2026, inviting global stakeholders in the nickel, chromium, manganese and stainless steel industry to deeply explore hot topics such as the latest market policies, global market development, and hedging strategies with derivatives. This industry conference will bring together practitioners from the entire industry chain including miners, smelters, stainless steel mills and traders to conduct in-depth discussions on core topics such as Indonesian policies, nickel, chromium and manganese market price trends, raw material substitution, and medium and long-term supply-demand, breaking down upstream and downstream information barriers and providing reference for industry business decisions. Highlights: Co-located with Commodity Week, Comprehensive Coverage of Non-Ferrous Metals, Energy, Chemicals and Other Diverse Sectors 10+ International Associations Engaging in In-Depth Discussions on Policies, Methods and Market Global experts from 20+ countries/regions are brought together to adopt an international perspective and explore global opportunities. The latest strategies combine physical and futures markets to unlock new approaches to hedging. Exclusive 1-on-1 meeting platform: chat online and meet offline directly. Government & Policy Authorities & Industry Association: National Economic Council Republic of Indonesia | Asosiasi Penambang Nikel Indonesia (APNI) | Forum Industri Nikel Indonesia (FINI) | Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) | International Nickel Study Group | Nickel Institute | Shanghai OTC Commodity Derivatives Association | Internation Manangese Institute (IMnI) Agenda: Time Agenda 08:30-9:30 Sign in 9:30 - 9:40 Opening Ceremony 9:40 - 10:00 [Keynote Speech] Understanding Indonesia's Nickel Policy Shifts: Ensuring Orderly Market Development 10:00 - 10:30 [Keynote Speech] The New Global Nickel Landscape: Indonesia’s HPM Policy Revisions and the Reshaping of Price Benchmarks 10:30 - 10:50 [Keynote Speech] Indonesia's NPI New Export Policy and Protection of Smelter Interests 10:50- 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 - 11:30 [Keynote Speech] The Global Landscape of Nickel 11:30- 12:00 [Keynote Speech] How NPI Calendar Spread Contracts Are Driving the Derivatives Trading Space 12:00 - 13:30 Lunch 13:30 - 14:20 [Panel Discussion] Who will Control the Pricing Power in the Global Nickel Market Amid Policy Shifts? 14:20 - 14:40 [Keynote Speech] Global Nickel Market Outlook 14:40 - 15:00 [Keynote Speech] Give Full Play to the Functions of the Futures Market and Promote the High-quality Development and Internationalization of the Nickel Industry 15:00 - 15:20 [Keynote Speech] Sustainability Requirements and Standards for the Nickel Industry 15:20- 15:40 Coffee Break 15:40 - 16:40 [Panel Discussion] Exchange-Traded Derivatives Trading Pathways-How to Rebuild Risk Management Systems amid Geopolitical Disturbances and Enhance Contract Pricing Value 16:40 - 17:00 Logistics and Supply Chain Collaboration Help the Industry Develop Efficiently 18.00-20.00 Banquet Dinner 09:00 -09:15 [Keynote Speech] The Nickel Ore Equation: Indonesia's Policy Stack, the HPM Gap, and the Making of a Structural Tight Balance 09:15 - 09:30 [Keynote Speech] Competitiveness and Pricing Logic of NPI Under the Adjustment of Stainless Steel Raw Material Structure 09:30-09:45 [Keynote Speech] Short-term Cost Support and Long-term Supply Release: Outlook for the Nickel Intermediate and Nickel Sulfate Market 09:45 - 10:00 [Keynote Speech] Cost Support and the Shifting Center of Gravity for Nickel Prices Amid Oversupply 10:00-10:15 [Keynote Speech] Analysis of Supply and Demand Game of Global Molybdenum Market and Mid- to Long-term Market Forecast 10:15-10:30 [Keynote Speech] Africa's Chromium Industry: Policy and Development Insights 10:30- 10:50 Coffee Break 10:50 - 11:20 [Keynote Speech] China Ferrochrome Supply-Demand Balance and Outlook 11:20-11:40 [Keynote Speech] Development Status of China's Stainless Steel Industry 11:40 - 12:00 [Keynote Speech] Global Stainless Trade Under Policy: From CBAM to Quotas, a Two-Front View of Europe and Southeast Asia 12:00 - 13:30 Lunch 13:30 - 13:50 [Keynote Speech] Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook of Demand and Supply in the Japanese Stainless Steel Industry 13:50 - 14:10 Driving the Next Stainless Steel Growth Cycle: India’s Infrastructure Boom, Decarbonization, and Global Supply Chain Synergies 14:10 - 14:30 [Keynote Speech] European Stainless Steel Market Development and Trade Flow Analysis 14:30 - 14:50 [Keynote Speech] New Energy Batteries – Emerging Opportunities for Stainless Steel 14:50 - 15:10 [Keynote Speech] New Applications and Developments in the Stainless Steel Market 15:10-15:30 [Keynote Speech] Current Development and Industrial Distribution of the High-End Stainless Steel Fastener Industry Conference Ends
Sep 20, 2026 10:33 (GMT+8)
[SMM Analysis] China Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Import and Export Data for August
[SMM Analysis] China Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Import and Export Data for August
In August 2026, China's total monthly sulphur imports were 272,323.414 mt in physical content, down 29.34% MoM and down 65.03% YoY, with the main import sources being the UAE, South Korea, Canada, Japan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines. China's total monthly sulphur exports were 48 mt in physical content, down 96.34% MoM and up 26.32% YoY, with the main export destinations being Indonesia and South Korea. China's total monthly sulphuric acid imports were 9,938.436 mt in physical content, up 831.85% MoM and up 1,051.37% YoY, with the main import sources being South Korea, Taiwan, China, Germany, and the US. China's total monthly sulphuric acid exports were 2,474.46 mt in physical content, up 153.47% MoM and down 99.43% YoY, with the main export destinations being Angola, Ghana, Cambodia, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Tanzania. China Sulfur Imports China Sulfuric Acid Exports
Sep 20, 2026 11:07 (GMT+8)
DRC Establishes US-DRC Special Working Group to Accelerate Strategic Minerals Partnership
According to foreign media reports, Kinshasa, September 11 — The DRC Cabinet approved the establishment of a DRC-US working group to accelerate the implementation of the bilateral strategic minerals partnership agreement and attract Western investment into the country's copper and cobalt industries. The DRC is the world's largest cobalt producer and the second-largest copper producer and exporter. The two countries signed a minerals cooperation agreement last December, marking the latest move by the country to broaden financing channels and strengthen cooperation with the US. Under the current cooperation framework, Virtus Minerals has already secured US-backed mining investment and is facilitating expanded copper mine cooperation between Gecamines, Mercuria, and Glencore, helping mineral products reach Western markets. The working group was originally scheduled to launch in February this year but was delayed by administrative obstacles, and its members and key projects have not yet been disclosed. The Cabinet meeting also approved a $24.8 billion fiscal budget for 2027, a 12% increase over this year's revised spending, with infrastructure, security, and economic diversification as priority areas.
Sep 21, 2026 10:00 (GMT+8)
Goldman keeps $5,400 gold forecast intact despite Fed hike
Goldman Sachs kept its end-2027 gold forecast at $5,400 an ounce despite this week's Fed hike, saying tighter policy will slow the rally but not derail it. Gold ticked above $4,355 on Friday on a softer dollar and lower oil prices. Goldman Sachs holding its end-2027 gold forecast at $5,400 an ounce despite this week's rate hike is the more notable signal here, since it suggests the bank sees the Fed's tightening path as a headwind that slows gold's rally rather than one that reverses it. That view sits against a backdrop where higher rates would typically curb demand for a non-yielding asset by increasing the appeal of yield-bearing alternatives, yet gold has still edged higher on Friday, helped by a softer dollar and a 1% pullback in oil prices. With 16 of 18 Fed policymakers now pointing to at least one more hike this year, the near-term path for real yields remains a genuine headwind, but Goldman's unchanged long-term call implies the bank sees that pressure as manageable within its broader bullish thesis, likely underpinned by continued central bank buying and ongoing Middle East risk. --- Goldman says the Fed's hike slows gold's rally, but the bank isn't backing off its $5,400 call. Summary: Goldman Sachs kept its end-2027 gold price forecast unchanged at $5,400 per troy ounce despite this week's Federal Reserve rate hike, saying tighter policy ( Goldman ditches one and done call, now sees a second Fed hike in October ) is likely to slow bullion's rally but not derail it Gold rose slightly on Friday to trade above $4,355 an ounce, supported by a 1% fall in oil prices and a subdued US dollar The Fed raised interest rates on Wednesday and signalled further hikes ahead, with updated projections showing 16 of 18 policymakers expecting at least one more quarter-point increase by year end A weaker dollar makes dollar-priced commodities cheaper for holders of other currencies, while higher rates typically curb gold demand by boosting the appeal of yield-bearing assets Market participants remain focused on developments in the Middle East and the broader path for global monetary policy Goldman Sachs kept its end-2027 gold price forecast unchanged at $5,400 per troy ounce on Friday, even after this week's Federal Reserve rate hike, saying tighter monetary policy is likely to slow bullion's rally rather than derail it. The bank's unchanged call comes despite a backdrop that would typically weigh on gold, since higher interest rates increase the appeal of yield-bearing assets and can curb demand for a non-yielding metal, even one traditionally viewed as an inflation hedge. Gold itself ticked higher on Friday, trading above $4,355 an ounce, as lower oil prices and a subdued US dollar offered support. Oil fell around 1% on the day, while the dollar remained soft after retreating from recent highs, a combination that makes dollar-priced commodities less expensive for holders of other currencies and has provided a modest tailwind for bullion. The move comes just two days after the Fed raised interest rates on Wednesday and flagged further hikes in the months ahead. Updated quarterly economic projections showed 16 of the Fed's 18 policymakers now anticipate at least one more quarter-percentage-point increase by the end of this year, a hawkish signal that has kept real yields and the dollar in focus for gold traders. Despite that backdrop, market participants have kept a close eye on developments in the Middle East alongside the broader path for global monetary policy, with geopolitical risk continuing to provide an offsetting source of support for the metal even as the rate outlook turns less accommodative. Source: https://investinglive.com/commodities/goldman-keeps-5-400-gold-forecast-intact-despite-fed-hike/
Sep 18, 2026 15:37 (GMT+8)

Latest News

[SMM Computing Power News] 10 units of 910B2 available for rent in east China, demand rising
SMM learned that a six-month rental demand for 910B2 has emerged in east China, with a scale of 10 units, and the buyer is an operator. Market feedback indicates that the inventory of this model's computing power resources is tight. In the same region, inventory stood at 32 units in July, with 15 to 20 units remaining vacant from June to August. After 18 units were transacted in August, the quoted price rose from 11,500 yuan to 14,000 yuan per unit per month. SMM believes that within two months, the situation shifted from nearly half vacant to tight inventory, and the available rental stock has been absorbed. The fact that operators are entering the market to rent while also leasing out through centralised procurement reflects a phased gap in their resource pools.
6 hours ago
[SMM Computing Power Flash] east China 910B up 22% within the month, nearly half idle, fully absorbed by August
SMM learned that a batch of 910B2 resources in east China had 32 units in inventory in July, with 15 to 20 units remaining vacant from June to August, and 18 units were transacted in August. During the same period, the rental quote rose from 11,500 yuan per unit per month to 14,000 yuan, a monthly increase of 21.7%. The batch is configured with 8 units of 64G NPUs, 2TB of memory, and 200G RoCE networking. SMM believes that during the period of sustained inventory vacancy, prices were not suppressed but instead rose after transaction volume increased, reflecting that the stock available for rent is being absorbed.
6 hours ago
[SMM Computing Power Flash] RTX Pro 6000 single card quoted at 177,500, with 180 units released in South China
SMM has learned that 180 units of Pro 6000 single cards are being sold externally in South China, quoted at 177,500 yuan per card, equivalent to 22 eight-card servers with a total value of approximately 31.95 million yuan. Compared with the 5090 single card at 47,100 yuan during the same period, this order is 3.8 times that price. SMM believes that supply is still expanding, contrasting with the cooling demand in the leasing market.
Sep 23, 2026 13:05 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power Midday Review] A100 in the Yangtze River Delta breaks 40,000, domestic cluster prices pull back
Today, only the A100 Yangtze River Delta index adjusted: the highest monthly rental rose +5.26% to 40,000 yuan, breaking the 40,000 mark, and the highest card-hour rate rose +5.15% to 6.94 yuan, while the average monthly rental increased +2.74% to 37,500 yuan, with the lowest remaining unchanged at 35,000 yuan. On the domestic side, the 910C cluster dropped to 65,000 yuan (−1.5%, on par with bulk volume), the 910B3 for immediate delivery did not secure a premium, while the relocatable 910B4/B3 held steady at 20,000 yuan (a 33% premium over online prices); the Atlas 300I Duo was first procured at 6,000 yuan to fill the price gap, and the H800 annual rental was confirmed for the second time at 69,000 yuan.
Sep 23, 2026 11:53 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power News] 910C Cluster Price Drops to 65,000, 158 Units Released for Rent in Batches
SMM has learned that the 910C 752T online rental cluster continues to be offered for rent, with five batches of 48, 48, 16, 16, and 30 units respectively, totaling 158 units, at a monthly rent of 65,000 yuan per unit per month, down 1,000 yuan or 1.5% from the previous quote of 66,000 yuan for the same cluster. On the same day, another small batch of 2 units was also quoted at 65,000 yuan. SMM believes that quotes for this model have converged between clusters and scattered volumes, with no price spread emerging from scale differences, and the price center has shifted slightly downward.
Sep 23, 2026 11:37 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power News] 18 relocatable Atlas 300I Duo units quoted at 6,000 yuan
SMM has learned that 18 relocatable Atlas 300I Duo units have been released to the market at a monthly rental of 6,000 yuan per unit per month, marking the first time SMM has collected pricing for this model. The quote is higher than the 2,500 yuan for the Atlas 300V in the same series, about 1.4 times that price, and lower than the 7,000–7,300 yuan for a complete 4090 system. SMM believes that the Atlas series has internally stratified by specifications, and this model enters the 6,000 yuan tier with higher configurations, filling the price gap between 3,000 yuan and 7,000 yuan for domestic inference models.
Sep 23, 2026 11:37 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power News] H800 Annual Rental Reported Again at 69,000, Price Confirmed for the Second Time
SMM has learned that two H800 units have been released to the market, with annual leases priced at 69,000 yuan per unit per month, exactly matching previous quotes under the same terms. This price is about 9% lower than the 76,000 yuan annual contract price for the same model in August, and slightly higher than the online quote of 68,000 yuan in mid-September. SMM believes that the H800 quote at 69,000 yuan has formed a second confirmation, and the short-term decline is slowing. However, it remains the lowest-priced model in the H series, and the trend of demand shifting toward higher performance models remains unchanged.
Sep 23, 2026 11:37 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power Flash] 910C 752T small batch quoted at 65,000, flat compared to cluster price
SMM has learned that two newly released 910C 752T units are now available for external ordering at a monthly rental of 65,000 yuan per unit per month. Previously, the online cluster of this model (158 units) was quoted at 66,000 yuan, making this order 1,000 yuan lower, a decrease of 1.5%. During the same period, the annual rental for the H800 was 69,000 yuan, making this order 4,000 yuan lower. SMM believes that the small-batch and cluster-batch quotes for this model are now basically flat, with no price spread formed by the scale difference, and the price center is temporarily stable at around 65,000 yuan.
Sep 23, 2026 11:33 (GMT+8)
【Flash | Lumentum’s AI Optical Growth Supports the Indium Phosphide (InP) Demand Outlook】
Lumentum reported fiscal Q4 2026 revenue of $1.006 billion, up 24.5% QoQ and 109.3% YoY. Components revenue reached $649.4 million, rising 102.7% YoY. The company said increasing AI compute speed and bandwidth requirements are driving greater use of optical connectivity in datacenters, alongside accelerating 1.6T cloud-module adoption and growing demand for ultra-high-power CPO lasers. Its fiscal Q1 2027 revenue guidance midpoint reached $1.25 billion. SMM views the expansion of high-speed optical modules and lasers as providing downstream demand support for InP and high-purity indium. However, Lumentum did not disclose InP-specific revenue, shipments or indium consumption, preventing a quantitative estimate of demand growth.
Sep 23, 2026 09:39 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power Daily] DDR5 Price Spread Halved, PRO6000 Quoted Price Difference at 2.4x
September 22: In the memory channel market, the first unilateral price concession by sellers occurred this round—DDR5 64G mainstream shipment interest surged 57.3% week over week, while purchase interest rose only 2.8%. The median offer price dropped from 19,165 yuan to 18,036 yuan, down 5.9%, and the bid-ask spread narrowed from 2,433 yuan to 1,157 yuan, nearly halving. Over the same period, original manufacturers' contract prices were still rising, creating a divergence between the two ends. On the hardware side, the much-discussed "PRO6000" in the channel actually refers to four specifications, with quotes ranging from 68,300 yuan/piece to 166,000 yuan/piece, a 2.43-fold difference. After breaking down the specifications, the three mainstream specifications each
Sep 22, 2026 19:28 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power News] Sichuan data center: 5 units of 8-card 4090 full machines, annual rental at 7,300 yuan per unit per month
SMM has learned that a certain data center in Sichuan recently publicly listed five 8-card RTX 4090 (24G) full units for external rental, configured with dual AMD EPYC 7K62 (2.6GHz, 48 cores and 96 threads), DDR4 768G memory (64G×12), 480GB SATA SSD system drives ×2, and a 7.68TB U.2 NVMe data drive ×1. The rental term is annual, with a quoted price of 7,300 yuan per unit per month (on an 8-card full-unit basis). The total monthly rent for the five units amounts to 36,500 yuan, with bandwidth billed separately at 10 yuan per M. In the same listing, bandwidth fees are itemized separately from the machine-time price and are not directly comparable to bundled quotes that include bandwidth.
Sep 22, 2026 18:27 (GMT+8)
【Flash | IQE Expands Indium Phosphide (InP) Capacity as AI Datacenter Demand Accelerates】
IQE reported H1 2026 revenue of £64.6 million, up 43% YoY, while Photonics revenue rose 45% to £38.5 million, supported by US defence funding releases and continued growth in AI and datacenter markets. The company said strong InP demand is driving volume growth and that existing tooling will be converted in H2 to increase InP capacity for significant AI and datacenter demand. IQE expects FY2026 revenue growth above 30%. SMM views simultaneous growth in InP volumes and capacity as direct support for medium-term high-purity indium demand. However, IQE did not disclose InP shipment volumes or indium feedstock consumption, preventing a quantitative estimate.
Sep 22, 2026 11:53 (GMT+8)
【Flash | Coherent’s Optical Growth Supports the Indium Phosphide (InP) Demand Outlook】
Coherent reported fiscal Q4 2026 Datacenter & Communications revenue of $1.615 billion, up 18.6% QoQ and 58.6% YoY, accounting for approximately 79% of total revenue. The company cited accelerating customer demand as AI datacenter architectures transition from copper to optical connectivity and said it is prioritizing manufacturing capacity expansion. Coherent’s technical materials identify indium phosphide as an important platform for native laser integration and high-bandwidth 400G-per-lane optical systems. SMM views the expansion of AI optical connectivity as supportive of medium-term InP and high-purity indium demand. However, Coherent did not disclose InP product shipments, preventing a quantitative estimate of the corresponding increase in indium consumption.
Sep 21, 2026 18:29 (GMT+8)
[SMM Computing Power Daily] H100 long-term contract at 87,000, 910C first quoted at 66,000
On September 21: H100 supply-side constraints shifted from pricing to resource availability—annual long-term leases in east China were quoted at 87,000 yuan per unit per month, reaching the upper bound of the mainstream 75,000–85,000 yuan range for the first time. During the same period, two short-term rental demand budgets rose to 90,000 and 100,000 yuan per unit per month, with the 100,000 yuan request failing to find matching resources and the transaction not completed. Additionally, about 100 units of spot cargo were cleared from a bonded warehouse in Hong Kong, China this week, requiring full payment after inspection before the goods could be moved. On the domestic computing power side, the 910C was quoted at 66,000 yuan per unit per month in its first collection (158 units released for rent in five batches), falling within the range of imported mid-end models.
Sep 21, 2026 18:21 (GMT+8)
Huawei Pursues Africa Green‑Mining Partnerships and Holds Business Talks with ZESCO at SMM ACM 2026
Huawei Pursues Africa Green‑Mining Partnerships and Holds Business Talks with ZESCO at SMM ACM 2026
The SMM Africa Critical Minerals Conference 2026 (ACM2026) , hosted by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), wrapped up with great success in Lusaka, Zambia on September 15‑16. Focusing on the development of strategic minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium, and tin in Africa, local deep-processing transformation, green mine construction and energy infrastructure upgrading, this premium event has brought together 400+ industry representatives from Chinese and African government agencies, top miners, commodity traders, investors, and technical service providers to jointly explore high-quality development paths for Africa's critical minerals industry chain. Huawei presented its mine microgrid solution at this conference. Joseph Yao, President of Mining Micro-Grid Business at Huawei Digital Power , delivered a keynote speech titled "Eco‑Partnerships for Green African Mines: Huawei's Mine Microgrid Practices under the IPP‑PPA Model". Huawei's delegation also held business talks with ZESCO, Zambia's national power utility, covering mine energy supply, new‑energy deployment and collaborative power‑infrastructure build‑out. As the global energy transition continues to advance, the new energy industry is steadily boosting demand for critical minerals such as copper and cobalt. Africa is rich in strategic mineral resources and is accelerating its upgrade from exporting mineral raw materials to a high-value-added industry chain encompassing local smelting and deep processing. Mines, as power-intensive sites, require stable and low-cost green power supply, which has become a core factor constraining the implementation of mining projects and the release of capacity in Africa. Leveraging the IPP-PPA (independent power producer investment + long-term power purchase agreement) cooperation model, distributed new energy microgrids can provide reliable power nearby for open-pit mines and smelter sites, helping mines reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions, and supporting the implementation of Zambia's strategy for local copper ore processing. (Joseph Yao, President of Mining Micro-Grid Business at Huawei Digital Power) Joseph Yao shared an overview of Huawei and its Digital Energy business, introducing Huawei as a leading provider of ICT infrastructure and smart terminals, a technology-driven enterprise with operations across many countries worldwide, focusing on core business segments such as smart PV and grid-forming ESS. He noted that Africa's mining sector is generally plagued by power shortages. High diesel costs erode mine profit margins, unstable power supplies risk production disruptions, while ESG requirements also impose constraints on mineral exports. He proposed a three-step path for the sustainable development of African mining: Firstly, supply green electricity to mines through digital energy infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions; Secondly, electrification transition of mining equipment; Thirdly, reshape production processes through AI platforms and intelligent management systems, optimize equipment scheduling, and improve mine capacity and production efficiency. He also highlighted Huawei's mine microgrid system. Rather than a standalone piece of equipment, it is a complete energy solution integrating photovoltaic‑storage systems, intelligent dispatching, diesel backup power supplies, control systems and management software. It breaks the conventional single‑power‑source model to enable energy self‑sufficiency and efficient energy management at mining sites. Citing the large‑scale microgrid project for Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global as a case study, he explained that this city‑level microgrid achieved major technical breakthroughs underpinned by Huawei's robust in‑house R&D capabilities and power‑simulation laboratories. Huawei possesses independent R&D capacity for core power‑electronic components such as IGBTs, and delivers one‑stop services covering design, simulation and project delivery. Together with ecosystem partners, it also provides full‑lifecycle engineering consultation and on‑site implementation support. The successful delivery of this project has laid a solid foundation for microgrid deployment in mining scenarios. He specifically addressed the widespread funding pain points confronting African mining projects. Under the IPP‑PPA ecosystem model, domestic and international investors can be brought in to finance mine‑energy projects. Mining companies, as power purchasers, sign long‑term power‑purchase agreements to secure stable mine operations, while investors obtain steady returns, forming a sustainable commercial closed‑loop. In his speech, Joseph cited several African mine microgrid implementation cases. Among them, after the completion of the Kamoa-Kakula mining microgrid project in the DRC, green electricity will replace a large amount of diesel power generation, significantly reducing mine electricity costs and carbon emissions, and delivering a good return on investment. For this Chinese-funded miner's copper mine project in the DRC, microgrid upgrades sharply reduced electricity costs and significantly improved the mine's capacity utilization rate, verifying the practical value of green electricity microgrids in African mine scenarios. He summarized Huawei's three core capabilities: a globalized business platform, end-to-end one-stop microgrid solutions, and a diverse ecosystem partner system that includes investors, EPCs, and design consulting agencies. He added that Huawei is looking forward to establishing partnership with more investors to develop energy projects across Zambia and wider Africa, secure power supplies for critical‑mineral industries including copper and lithium, jointly foster green mines in Africa, and build a low‑carbon and sustainable industrial future. During the conference, the Huawei delegation held a business meeting with representatives from Zambia's national power utility ZESCO. Against the backdrop of accelerating green transformation in African mining and continuously growing power demand in mining areas, the two sides exchanged views on topics of common concern such as power infrastructure construction and new energy support, and expressed their intention to jointly explore potential areas for cooperation. Africa's mineral industry is at a critical window for industry chain upgrading. Huawei, drawing on its technological strengths in new energy and smart power, will partner with IPP investors, local power authorities and mining operators to build an open‑cooperation ecosystem. Leveraging its proven mine microgrid solutions, Huawei aims to deliver green, reliable power supplies for African mining and smelting projects, advance the low‑carbon transition of Africa’s critical minerals industry, and deepen practical China‑Africa cooperation across the mining and energy sectors.
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