How Qinghai’s Silicon Plants Affected after Central Environmental Protection Team Arrives? SMM Reports

Novametal USA released its October 2026 raw-material surcharges for stainless steel cold-drawn wire. The molybdenum average increased 1.0% from US$33.2230/lb to US$33.5558/lb, equivalent to approximately US$73,244/t and US$73,978/t. However, nickel and chromium averages declined 1.9% and 1.2%, respectively. Consequently, the 316 alloy surcharge fell from US$1.94/lb to US$1.92/lb, while 316L declined from US$1.98/lb to US$1.97/lb. After the energy surcharge rose from US$0.10/lb to US$0.12/lb, the total 316 surcharge remained unchanged at US$2.04/lb and 316L edged up to US$2.09/lb. SMM analysis: weaker nickel and chromium partly offset higher molybdenum costs, limiting downstream price transmission.

Eaton Steel Bar Company released its October 2026 scrap and alloy surcharge schedule, raising the molybdenum component across all listed molybdenum-bearing grades. The moly surcharge for the 4000 series increased from US$9.49/cwt to US$9.77/cwt, equivalent to approximately US$209.22/t to US$215.39/t of steel. The 4600 series rose from US$15.18/cwt to US$15.64/cwt, while the 9260 grade increased from US$3.64/cwt to US$3.81/cwt. The gains ranged from about 3.0% to 4.7%. The scrap surcharge remained unchanged at US$14.50/cwt. SMM analysis: the October increase mainly came from alloy components, although the surcharge should not be treated as a direct molybdenum spot-price indicator.

[SMM Tantalum Flash] Aterian’s interim results, released on 30 September, show £1.341 million of Tantalum and other ore-sales revenue for the six months to 30 June 2026, up from £20,000 a year earlier. Gross profit was £522,000, while the group recorded a £568,000 pre-tax loss. Its Rwanda trading business deployed about US$2.18 million in working capital through joint-venture purchases. Management valued potential sales from those purchases at US$2.78 million, but cautioned that the notional valuation is not additional recognised revenue. The implied US$602,000 gross trading profit is also a management estimate, dependent on completed sales, assays, realised prices, costs and the joint venture’s profit allocation. Aterian said traceability inspections limited suppliers and volumes. It held £131,000 in cash at 30 June; its expectation of expanding trading volumes from the fourth quarter still depends on execution and funding.