SMM Evening Comments (Jul 19): Shanghai nonferrous metals ended mixed as investors monitored virus and digested OPEC deal

Caterpillar has acquired mining technology company Skycatch to expand its digital mining capabilities with AI-powered spatial data and near real-time digital twin technology. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Skycatch's platform enables mine operators to process high-resolution spatial data using artificial intelligence, improving mine planning, operational efficiency and support for both staffed and autonomous mining fleets. The acquisition follows Caterpillar's recent purchase of RPMGlobal and further strengthens its digital mining portfolio.

Kazakhstan-based gold producer Solidcore Resources has signed a joint venture agreement with state-owned Minerals Development Oman (MDO) to explore and develop the Khabiyat copper-gold project in Oman. Under the agreement, Solidcore can acquire up to a 60% interest in the project in three stages, beginning with an initial 20% stake. The project marks the company's first exploration investment outside Kazakhstan and represents a key step in its expansion into the Middle East and diversification into base metals. Market participants believe the project will strengthen Solidcore's copper exposure and support its long-term strategy of doubling gold-equivalent production by 2030.

Menurut laporan terbaru dari Pusat Meteorologi Nasional hari ini, pusat Topan ke-9 tahun ini “Bavi” (level topan super) berada di permukaan laut sekitar 1.650 kilometer timur-tenggara Kota Keelung, Taiwan pada pukul 5 pagi hari ini (8), dengan kekuatan angin maksimum di dekat pusat mencapai level 17 (60 m/s). Otoritas meteorologi Zhejiang menilai bahwa “Bavi” kemungkinan besar akan melintas atau mendarat di sepanjang pantai utara Pulau Taiwan dari dini hari tanggal 10 hingga siang hari tanggal 11, dan mendarat di pantai Zhejiang-Fujian dari malam tanggal 11 hingga pagi hari tanggal 12. Terdampak hal tersebut, pemroses produk setengah jadi tembaga hilir di wilayah Jiangsu dan Zhejiang khawatir bahwa logistik dan transportasi akan terganggu setelah topan mendarat akhir pekan ini dan pengambilan kargo akhir pekan tidak dapat dilakukan, yang secara signifikan memanaskan sentimen pasar. Pada perdagangan awal, tembaga standar domestik yang dikutip dengan premi 70 yuan/ton mengalami transaksi selesai dalam hitungan detik, kemudian pasokan harga rendah sulit ditemukan. Pemasok mempertahankan harga dengan kuat, dan pusat transaksi aktual bergerak naik ke premi 100 yuan/ton ke atas.