Operating rates across silicon producers inch up 0.8 percentage point in Aug

[SMM Niobium Flash] Globe Metals & Mining said on 28 September that Malawi’s Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority had specified what the company must start building at its Kanyika niobium-tantalum project. The guidance, received on 25 September, sets a six-month period from that date to demonstrate substantial on-site development. The works include, where applicable, starting a processing plant, tailings storage facility, site offices and run-of-mine pad. Globe said the directive still requires ratification by the authority’s board. The guidance clarifies Kanyika’s next steps after its previous 27 September deadline to begin substantial mining operations. Globe reports that preparatory road and stockpile works have been completed, but it must still agree detailed engineering measures with regulators and demonstrate the required permanent works. Its aim of commercial production in early 2028 remains a company target.

Global chrome ore departures totaled 660,600 mt in the week ended September 25, up 5.71% week-on-week. This is a second consecutive weekly increase and the highest volume since the week ended September 4. The composition of the flows shifted markedly, however, as gains at Richards Bay and Mersin more than offset a steep pullback at Maputo. Maputo departures fell to 340,200 mt from 555,600 mt, a 38.77% decline that marks the port's lowest weekly volume since the week ended August 28. Its share of total departures narrowed to roughly 51.5% from about 89% a week earlier, ending a run of Maputo-dominated flows and pointing to a more evenly distributed export mix. Richards Bay filled the gap, returning to active shipping after two weeks of zero departures with 227,800 mt, its highest weekly volume since at least the week ended August 7 and equivalent to about 34% of total departures. Mersin also rose 22.22% to 84,700 mt from 69,300 mt, its highest weekly volume over the same period. Beira again recorded no chrome ore departures, remaining inactive for a third consecutive week. The week's data shows the resilience of overall seaborne chrome ore flows from Southern Africa despite a sharp Maputo slowdown, with Richards Bay's rebound reducing the region's reliance on a single corridor. Given the intermittent loading pattern at Richards Bay in recent weeks, whether the port sustains this level of activity will be a key factor for regional shipment volumes ahead.

Sivers Semiconductors announced a $30 million expansion of its indium phosphide (InP) manufacturing facility in Glasgow. Upon completion, the site is expected to support annual production of over 100 million CW DFB lasers. Work will begin in H2 2026, with operations targeted for Q4 2027. Sivers linked the investment to anticipated AI datacenter and optical-networking customer ramps and expects InP lasers and semiconductor optical amplifiers to play a growing role in energy-efficient optical connectivity. SMM views the expansion as direct medium-term support for high-purity indium demand. However, current output, utilization and indium intensity were not disclosed.