[SMM Data] China’s magnesium alloy monthly operating rate in January 2024

According to SMM survey of 50 EF steel mills that mainly produce construction steel, their operating rates was 40.94%, down 1.26 percentage points WoW, as of March 19.

Operating rate of BFs was 89.45% on March 20, up 0.3 percentage points WoW, SMM survey showed.

Multiple lithium producers in Australia have operational or strategic updates this week, adding to their recent earnings calls, many of which stress the importance of cautious plannings, near-term flexibilities, and long-term optimism in this lithium cycle downturn.

In January, the average monthly price of 9990 magnesium ingots in the main producing areas was 20,190 yuan per ton, down 1.2% month-on-month. Looking back at January: At the beginning of the month, bearish sentiment still prevailed in the magnesium market, with prices continuing their downward trend from the previous year, falling to 20,100 yuan per ton, once again approaching the cost margin, leading to an increase in the willingness of magnesium plants to support prices; In mid-Jan, pre-spring-festival stockpiling makes the market price went a bit higher; Now, domestic 9990 magnesium ingots prices reduced to around 20100 again.

On January 31, the operating rate of BF steel mills was 88.55%, up 0.15 percentage points WoW, SMM survey showed.

Overnight, LME zinc prices opened at US$2,581/ton and reached a low of US$2,567/ton during the period. During the European trading session, LME zinc prices moved up and hit a high of US$2,605.5/ton, finally closing at US$2,587/ton, up US$0.5/ton, or 0.02%.

SMM renewable energy industry data

Overnight, the most-traded SHFE 2403 aluminium contract opened at 18,745 yuan/mt, with high and low at 18,760 yuan/t and 18,665 yuan/mt before closing at 18,700 yuan/mt, down 65 yuan/mt or 0.35%.

LME zinc prices opened at $2548/mt last evening and closed down $86.5/mt or 3.39% at $2466.5/mt. Trading volume increased to 11397 lots, and open interest decreased by 1323 lots to 208,000 lots. LME zinc inventory dropped by 1600 mt or 0.77% to 205700 mt.

Sichuan Yahua Group revealed the progress of Zimbabwe's Kamativi lithium mine.