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Force majeure declared at Kennecott mine

  • : Fertilizers, Metals
  • 20/04/02

Rio Tinto has declared force majeure on shipments of copper cathode from its Kennecott operation in Utah after an earthquake in March.

The declaration was made as the Utah facility continues to reopen after being hit by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake on 18 March.

The facility's mine, concentrator and tailings have resumed operations.

"We are working to restart Kennecott's smelter after the emergency shutdown in response to the earthquake and with our customers to minimize any disruption in supply," Rio Tinto told Argus today.

Kennecott accounts for approximately 11pc of copper production in the US, according to Rio Tinto.


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25/02/05

US met coal market mixed on China tariffs

US met coal market mixed on China tariffs

London, 5 February (Argus) — US coking coal market participants are still mulling their position since President Donald Trump reignited the country's trade standoff with China and Beijing retaliated on Saturday with substantial tariffs . Market sources said the retaliation will affect some coals more than others, but disagree on the severity of the risk. Many US producers ramped up exports to China in 2020 and 2021 following restrictions on Australian imports. But trade flows have slowed in the past two years largely because of lower-priced Russian and Mongolian met coal driving down Chinese price expectations and wider weakness in the seaborne coking coal prices making US sales to China less attractive. The Chinese tariffs announced yesterday apply to US coal and other energy products such as crude and LNG . Starting on 10 February, a 15pc levy will be added to the pre-existing 3pc tax on US coking coal imports for a total 18pc. The industry is cautious to draw conclusions as China returns from holiday and a diplomatic solution to the dispute is still deemed possible in light of the start date. But seller sentiment has generally been negative on the threat of further downward price pressures in a struggling market. "We are still hopeful that a trade war can be averted, or at least not last too long. Trump does a lot of talking as part of his negotiation style, but eventually, it is good for both countries to find a solution," one US producer said. Expectations are for some US exporters to turn to India as an alternative, but again they would face competition from Russian producers. Still, some in the market question how real an impact the measures could have, in particular citing the strong presence of Core Natural Resources' low-cost Bailey coal in the shipment volumes to China. Market estimates suggest that around 2mn-3mn t of Bailey coal was shipped to China last year, accounting for about 30-40pc of US exports to China. Consol, part of the newly merged Core, reported an average cash cost of $35.85/st for coal produced at its Pennsylvania mining complex, where Bailey originates, in the quarter ending 30 September last year. "I don't think it will be the consequence that everyone fears because the higher-quality US coals are already too expensive [in China]," one European trader said. "The Chinese are not looking to buy too much material." A common reason sellers give for not dealing with China is that many Chinese buyers contractually expect US sellers to take the risk of tariff hikes. The expectation is likely to deter even more producers now that risk is soon to be reality. "I can't imagine anyone in the US is going to be accepting that contract now," an Alabama-based supplier said. Not all downhill But there may still be some upward support ahead for US coking coal prices. US production has slowed over the past half year, first with a fire shutting the Allegheny Metallurgical Coal's Longview mine in West Virginia and more recently the fire at Core's Leer South mine resulting in a force majeure . Heavy snow fall in December and mine operators cutting additional shifts in a weak price environment has also curtailed output. In Europe, ongoing production issues at the coking coal mines operated by JSW in Poland may also add to a supply squeeze in the Atlantic. While Chinese tariffs may push down prices of US coal, stronger Chinese demand for Australian coal could potentially lend support to fob prices in Asia-Pacific too. How exactly US supply will be diverted from China in the event of a trade war and how this will affect prices is very much an open question. When China first imposed tariffs during its trade war with the US in July 2018, Argus ' high-volatie A fob Hampton Roads assessment rose by $22/t to its height in November. By the time the dispute was wrapping up in 2020, prices had sunk to near $60/t below pre-tariff levels. By Austin Barnes and Siew Hua Seah US coking coal exports since 2019 by partner '000t Partner 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 India 4,260 4,035 3,235 7,657 8,400 9,604 China 1,064 1,485 10,337 2,432 4,846 8,123 Brazil 6,707 6,182 5,100 5,353 6,271 6,297 Netherlands 4,628 3,116 3,041 4,960 4,068 4,609 Japan 6,011 3,291 2,950 3,617 4,594 3,858 Turkey 1,442 2,469 743 1,361 1,387 2,270 Germany 405 33 1,006 1,424 1,315 1,193 France 1,085 773 612 1,185 999 1,041 South Korea 2,473 2,090 824 1,161 1,032 1,013 Spain 418 333 493 653 616 664 Tariffs pulled back in March 2020 — Global Trade Tracker US high-volatile coal prices fob Hampton Roads $/t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Q&A: Africa's role in the EV revolution


25/02/05
25/02/05

Q&A: Africa's role in the EV revolution

London, 5 February (Argus) — The African continent plays a vital role as a supplier of raw materials essential for electric vehicles (EVs), but what about the downstream? Argus spoke with Dave Coffey, chief executive of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturing(AAAM), at the sidelines of the Indaba Mining Conference in Cape Town, South Africa about Africa's EV ambitions. Which African countries are ready for EV adoption? We see demand for motorcycles and public transport today, and east Africa is leading that market. The passenger car will take much longer because of affordability issues. Today, we are struggling to increase the sale of internal combustion engines (ICE) and transitioning to electric vehicles will not happen quickly. Instead, you are likely to see an increase in three-wheelers or even four-wheeled micro-mobility options, while passenger cars will lag. Also, countries will transition at different speeds depending on their natural resources. Some countries have gas, CNG, and they're pushing to convert vehicles to piped natural gas (PNG). Others are pushing for green hydrogen. You're going to see different journeys on the transition to electric mobility. And if you just look at India and China — I often use India as a benchmark for Africa because of its similar population — they are exploring all different types of powertrains, and Africa will be likely to follow suit, moving at various speeds. Which countries are better positioned in the EV supply chain? South Africa clearly has the greatest demand on the continent today. If you look forward, say, 10 years, Egypt will have strong demand. Egypt will come through and can produce 500,000 vehicles in the next decade for its own consumption. Algeria is also taking off. Its industry was closed for a number of years owing to corruption issues. Algeria could get to 400,000 vehicles. Morocco will get to 220,000 vehicles for its own use, not for exports. Tunisia will probably be at 80,000 cars. In sub-Saharan Africa, the Ivory Coast may see demand for 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles. We are investing significant effort into driving demand in sub-Saharan Africa because of the vast opportunities present there. However, it is essential to provide affordable mobility solutions to reduce the reliance on used vehicle imports. What are the main challenges apart from affordability? It's the political will to implement the industrial policy, because how do you switch over and cut off used vehicles? You can't industrialise and hope people will buy when they can't afford to buy. The big issue is access to affordable finance. It's a big issue that we're working on in Africa. Imagine if you have a new vehicle that becomes a used vehicle and attracts vehicle finance. It'll compete with the used cars coming in. Financing is a critical issue, both from a consumer perspective and an investment perspective. You're getting component manufacturers wanting to invest. It's not a big ticket out of $10mn. It might be $2mn, and they're not able to access capital. Finance all around is a big development drive in Africa. Are there any logistical problems delaying EV adoption? My view on logistics is that, for example, people say we can't ship between one country. We've already seen, and I've got examples, that when the volume picks up, it just gets sold. It does. Because then you've got shipping lines that will put on the shipping routes. Yes, Africa does face logistics challenges, particularly the lack of rail infrastructure. However, consider this: currently, intra-Africa trade is only at 17pc. Imagine if that figure increased to 50pc. We would need a significant number of commercial vehicles to support that growth. Commercial cars have a huge future for Africa as a result of the intra-Africa trade we're trying to drive. Creating demand drives the value chain and the entire ecosystem. We need to generate demand. By Cristina Belda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Abu Dhabi's Adnoc rolls over sulphur price in February


25/02/04
25/02/04

Abu Dhabi's Adnoc rolls over sulphur price in February

London, 4 February (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc set its February official sulphur selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $174/t fob Ruwais, stable from its January OSP. Adnoc's February OSP implies a delivered price of $190-191/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India last assessed at $16-17/t on 30 January. The announced OSP fob price rose by $105/t from $69/t fob Ruwais in February 2024. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US tariffs to push automotive prices higher


25/02/03
25/02/03

US tariffs to push automotive prices higher

Houston, 3 February (Argus) — US tariffs on Canada and Mexico would likely lift automotive production costs noticeably higher as automakers and their suppliers rely on multiple cross-border shipments. US president Donald Trump said over the weekend he would enact 25pc tariffs on imports from Canada effective 4 February, but delayed Mexican tariffs until at least March . An all-encompassing tariff on the two and potential retaliatory tariffs could severely hamper regional automotive producers, which draw from cross border flows for both raw materials including finished steel and aluminum as well as integral parts and components. The tariffs are meant, in part, to drive more manufacturing back into the US — as General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said her company would likely do should the tariffs be imposed on Canada and Mexico. Other automotive manufacturers could possibly follow suit in order to escape the increased costs associated with tariffs. But shifting operations from one country to another would be costly and time consuming. Some manufacturers produce parts for the same vehicle on different sides of the border, meaning even a car or truck assembled in the US could see its costs increase if it relies on parts made by the same company at a Canadian factory. Completed vehicles The US imported 2.855mn of its smaller passenger vehicles from Mexico and Canada between January and November of 2024, according to customs data, or about 41pc of all such vehicles. The two nations also accounted for the import of 1.16mn heavier vehicles designed for the transport of goods in the same period, or about 95pc of all of those vehicles. Mexico alone sent 83,201 tractors to the US for the year-to-date 2024, roughly 39pc of the US total. Automotive parts Cross border flows of parts and accessories could be curtailed even more as they likely will have to cross in and out of the US in multiple stages, potentially receiving multiple 25pc tariff hits. The US imported 3.4bn motor vehicle parts and accessories from the two countries or about 38pc of all such imports, and exported 3,073t of these parts back across the border to Canada and Mexico. Nearly 90pc of the US' exports of spark-ignition piston engines, or 3.57mn units, were sent to Canada and Mexico, while 30pc of all US imports of such engines, or 2.26mn units, come from the two countries. The US imported roughly 82pc or 43,582t of its cast-iron parts for internal combustion engines from Mexico. Metal mounting and fitting imports for automobiles from Mexico alone represented 73pc of US totals, with the US in return exporting 64pc of such products back to Mexico. Canada took in 24pc or 29,035 metric tonnes (t) of the product. The US acquired 40pc or nearly 36,000 of larger auto bodies and chassis from the two nations in 2024, while sending 57.5pc of its exports or 21,553 back across the same borders. Alternatives limited Although some alternative import sources do exist, many of these auto plants are located inland of key receiving ports and have closely tied operations that could require multiple stagged parts replacements. Some vehicles are estimated to cross US borders into Canada and Mexico and back as many as seven or eight times before final assembly, according to a 2021 Congressional Research Service paper. China would be a major alternative supplier for US or Canadian automotive parts in multiple cases, including for internal combustion engines. The US imported $87.1bn in light vehicles from Canada and Mexico and $77.5bn in automotive parts in 2022, according to a 2023 US International Trade Commission report. Any tariff could notably sting regional automotive producers just climbing out of multi-year low sales levels. US total vehicle sales hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17.22mn in December, the highest level since May of 2021, according to Federal Reserve data. By Cole Sullivan and Zach Schumacher US automotive imports from Canada count Jan-Nov 2024 Jan-Nov 2023 Diff ±% Share of total volumes Full vehicles, bodies, and chassis Tractors 1,612 1,395 217 15.60% 0.80% Motor vehicles 915,408 1,138,494 -223,086 -19.60% 13.00% Motor vehicles for transport of goods 152,232 150,279 1,953 1.30% 12.50% Special-use vehicles (ex. firetrucks) 1,826 1,554 272 17.50% 53.40% Work trucks (ex. airport luggage vehicles) 1,595 1,656 -61 -3.70% 8.00% Vehicle chassis fitted with engines 1,821 1,622 199 12.30% 14.60% Vehicle bodies 8,896 8,584 312 3.60% 11.50% Spark-ignition engine parts 705,337 924,439 -219,102 -23.70% 9.40% Compression-ignition engine parts 3,198 3,759 -561 -14.90% 0.10% Parts and accessories 1.23bn 1.28bn -48mn -3.80% 13.70% — US Census Bureau US automotive imports from Mexico count Jan-Nov 2024 Jan-Nov 2023 Diff ±% Share of total volumes Full vehicles, bodies, and chassis Tractors 83,201 108,267 -25,066 -23.20% 38.90% Motor vehicles 1.94mn 1.79mn 151,439 8.50% 28.00% Motor vehicles for transport of goods 1,007,433 919,850 87,583 9.50% 82.40% Special-use vehicles (ex. firetrucks) 35 70 -35 -50.00% 1.00% Work trucks (ex. airport luggage vehicles) 6,513 4,214 2,299 54.60% 32.50% Vehicle chassis fitted with engines 4 7 -3 -42.90% <0.1% Vehicle bodies 25,285 15,922 9,363 58.80% 32.60% Spark-ignition engine parts 1,551,874 1,415,311 136,563 9.60% 20.60% Compression-ignition engine parts 1,526,994 1,943,567 -416,573 -21.40% 68.60% Parts and accessories 2.17bn 2.18bn -8,121,686 -0.40% 24.30% — US Census Bureau Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Tariffs to raise US domestic sulphur prices


25/02/03
25/02/03

Tariffs to raise US domestic sulphur prices

London, 3 February (Argus) — US sulphur consumers face higher prices as a result of President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on commodity imports from Canada and Mexico, which — along with the prospect of counter-measures — could disrupt North American sulphur trade in multiple ways. Trump issued an executive order on 1 February to impose 25pc tariffs on imports from Canada, reduced to 10pc for energy imports, and 25pc on all Mexico-sourced commodities, with the measures to come into effect on 4 February . The tariffs on energy imports from Canada and Mexico could raise sulphur prices for US consumers in two ways — directly, by increasing the price of Canadian sulphur imported to the US, and indirectly, by increasing the price of sour crude imports for US refineries, which is likely to lead to reduced flows resulting in lower domestic sulphur production and higher prices. Canadian sulphur is imported to the US for fertilizer production and industrial use, and tariffs would lead to a rise in delivered pricing of Canadian sulphur as a raw material for US fertilizer producers, with the likely knock-on impact of higher finished fertilizer prices. The US imported 850,000t of Canadian sulphur in January-November, with the majority being molten sulphur shipped by rail to the east coast, Midwest or Rocky Mountains regions. Canadian sulphur accounted for more 93pc of US sulphur imports during this period, up from 89pc from the same period in 2023. This high level of dependency is likely to mean that importers will have to accept higher prices in the near term while searching for alternative sources. Trade flow impact For their part, Canadian sulphur suppliers have some limited flexibility to increase their solid sulphur exports through Vancouver port to markets such as China, and limit liquid sulphur rail shipments to the US if tariffs make such shipments uneconomical. But a significant switch in the near term is unrealistic. Solid sulphur exports loaded at Vancouver port rose by 245,000t in 2024, bringing overall exports up by 7pc to 3.35mn t . The top destination for Canadian prilled sulphur from Vancouver last year was China, at 1.54mn t. Exports of solid sulphur through Vancouver have risen as a result of increased remelting and prilling of blocked sulphur this year from Alberta's roughly 12mn t of sulphur blocks built over time. This is expected to accelerate in 2025 as the new prilling capacity becomes more stable following earlier technical problems. But a lack of prilling capacity, the cost of additional processing, as well as limits on rail and port warehousing and loading capacity, will cap the potential to increase solid exports in the short term. Tightening availability and increasingly challenging affordability of Canadian sulphur could in turn push large US consumer Mosaic to import more solid sulphur from the Middle East for remelting in Tampa for fertilizer production. Smaller consumers, particularly in the northeast US, would likely be faced with the tariff impact. But the US may have more of its own sulphur available if Mexico responds to the US measures with counter-tariffs that disrupt the flow of US sulphur south. The US exported 376,000t of sulphur to Mexico in the first 11 months of 2024. Sulphur produced in the Gulf coast could be shipped by rail to the regions where Canadian sulphur is typically consumed, assuming infrastructure and railcar availability. But the increased freight cost could offset any potential savings relative to the 25pc tariff. In addition to rising sulphur costs, US fertilizer producers also face increased costs for imports of Canadian ammonia. These raw material price increases would be likely to be passed on to farmers, and with Canada also a large supplier of potash to the US fertilizer market, US farmers could bear the brunt of inflation driven by tariffs. Crude spillover Tariffs on crude trade between the US, Canada and Mexico will also impact the sulphur market. Canada and Mexico both export sour crude to the US, but the tariffs are likely to result in supplies from those countries being redirected to other markets. This could tighten the supply of sour crude to US refineries, reducing domestic sulphur production and pushing up prices. Mexico's state-owned oil company Pemex has more flexibility to divert its seaborne flows on economic grounds than Canadian heavy crude producers, whose output is primarily transported by pipeline to US refiners . By Maria Mosquera and Chris Mullins US sulphur imports* Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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