China's imports of cobalt raw materials, including ore and intermediate products, came in at 3,700 mt in metal content in May, down 57% from a month ago and down 55% from a year ago, showed the latest customs data. 

Brazil's Vale has resumed operations at its distribution centre in Malaysia, the Teluk Rubiah Maritime Terminal (TRMT), but the fast spreading of the coronavirus in Brazil may keep its iron ore shipments from rebounding significantly in the near term. 

Domestic demand for raw materials increased following the return of cobalt salt producers in March, and this led to the rebound in imports. It is understood that cobalt raw materials delivery to smelters resumed at the beginning of March and more than 80% of producers restarted operations by end-March. 

The global widespread of COVID-19 has forced many countries to enforce stringent containment measures which result in a heavy impact on global economic activity. Over the past few months, we saw serious disruption of manpower, transportation and production in China. We are now seeing these scenarios happening around the world.

The global widespread of COVID-19 has forced many countries to enforce stringent containment measures which result in a heavy impact on global economic activity. Over the past two months, we saw serious disruption of manpower, transportation and production in China. We are now seeing these scenarios happening around the world. 

Prices of prebaked anode in China, an essential material used in aluminium smelting, will face further downside risks after April as a negative impact on demand from the COVID-19 outbreak continues to weigh on prebaked anode profits.

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