Tangshan to deepen production curbs during Aug 18-21

[India Domestic] India’s domestic prices were mostly stable on Oct 6 with only a few prices edged up across key markets. Market activity remained moderate. Unscheduled power cuts in several regions are affecting industrial operations and reducing production. The disruptions are particularly impacting steel mills with some producers facing lower output due to limited power availability. The lower production may tighten spot supply in the steel market and may provide support to steel prices. Mandi HMS 1&2 (80:20) unchanged at 412 USD/tonne (39,700 INR/tonne) delivered Mandi. Mumbai HMS 1&2 (80:20) flat at 384 USD/tonne (37,000 INR/tonne) delivered Mumbai. Sponge iron PDRI unchanged at 309 USD/tonne (29,800 INR/tonne) EXW Raipur for the second consecutive day on moderate demand. Mumbai Rebar unchanged at 557 USD/tonne (53,700 INR/tonne) EXW Mumbai. Meanwhile, rebar remained unchanged 541 USD/tonne (52,200 INR/tonne) EXW Raipur. Mandi ingot flat at 505 USD/tonne (48,700 INR/tonne) EXW Mandi. Durgapur Billet up 1 USD/tonne (100 INR/tonne) to 468 USD/tonne (45,100 INR/tonne) delivered Durgapur.

South Africa is advancing amendments to its Second-Hand Goods Act that would further tighten controls on scrap trading, including copper, brass, bronze, aluminium, zinc, lead, nickel, tin and cobalt. Under the proposed framework, recyclers acquiring controlled metals from individuals would be explicitly required to make electronic payments and maintain detailed transaction records, while purchases from scrap-metal waste pickers would require names and identification numbers to be recorded. Public comments on the bill remain open until November 2. The legislation targets widespread cable and infrastructure theft, with copper cable theft alone estimated to cost Eskom around R5–7 billion annually, plus roughly R2 billion in replacement costs. While South Africa has already been moving toward cashless scrap transactions, the amendment would strengthen the statutory framework around traceable electronic payments, seller identification and transaction records. If enacted, compliance requirements across South Africa's copper scrap collection, recycling and trading chain would tighten further, potentially restricting the flow of anonymous or informal material into the legitimate market.

[SMM Steel] India domestic steel and scrap prices continues to rise [India Domestic] Domestic steel and scrap market trended up from Oct 1 with prices rising across key markets while some remained flat. Unscheduled power cuts in Chhattisgarh have affected industrial operations, with production at several factories down by up to 35%. Power demand reached around 6,000 MW in September, while supply was reportedly short by 500–600 MW. Industry operators said 7–8 hours of night-time power cuts are affecting production, with the Mini Steel Plant Association also reporting lower output and losses. Mandi HMS 1&2 (80:20) up 3 USD/tonne (300 INR/tonne) to 412 USD/tonne (39,700 INR/tonne) delivered Mandi. Alang Melting flat at 395 USD/tonne (38,000 INR/tonne) ex-yard Alang. Mandi ingot up 1 USD/tonne (100 INR/tonne) to 506 USD/tonne (48,700 INR/tonne) EXW Mandi. Mumbai Rebar rose 6 USD/tonne (600 INR/tonne) to 557 USD/tonne (53,700 INR/tonne) EXW Mumbai. While, rebar unchanged 542 USD/tonne (52,200 INR/tonne) EXW Raipur. Raipur Billet up 2 USD/tonne (200 INR/tonne) to 474 USD/tonne (45,700 INR/tonne) EXW Raipur. Sponge iron PDRI unchanged at 309 USD/tonne (29,800 INR/tonne) EXW Raipur.