Nonferrous

• Canada launches probe into silicon metal imports Apr 23, 2013

  The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has initiated an anti-dumping and subsidy investigation into imports of silicon metal from China following a complaint by Quebec Silicon LP.

• Vale’s ferroalloys output falls to 32,000 tonnes in first quarter Apr 23, 2013

  Vale SA’s first-quarter ferroalloys output fell 69.6 percent year on year to 32,000 tonnes, partly as a result of weaker demand.

• Aurubis expecting smaller copper surplus Apr 23, 2013

  Aurubis AG expects this year’s copper surplus to be smaller than it initially forecast due to both planned and unplanned outages at a number of mines.

• Triton, SMI team to make fiber-reinforced aluminum Apr 23, 2013

  Triton Systems Inc. and Specialty Materials Inc. are teaming in a collaboration keyed to manufacture fiber-reinforced aluminum (FRA).

• First-quarter manganese ore output increases 3.5%: Vale Apr 23, 2013

  Brazilian miner Vale SA’s manganese ore output totaled approximately 501,000 tonnes in the first quarter, up 3.5 percent from the same period last year but down 24.9 percent from the fourth quarter due largely to a rainy-season slowdown.

• Rise in Chinese ferrochrome imports expected to reverse Apr 23, 2013

  Chinese ferrochrome and chrome ore imports rose in March, but they’re likely to decline in April as prices in the domestic market fall.

• Kennecott given access to Bingham lower pit Apr 23, 2013

  Kennecott Utah Copper has been given the go-ahead to access portions of the Bingham Canyon Mine affected by a recent wall slide, including the lower pit, but the company does not plan to resume work yet.

• First Quantum to buy Inmet notes Apr 23, 2013

  First Quantum Minerals Ltd. will purchase Inmet Mining Corp.’s remaining 8.75-percent senior notes due in 2020 and 7.50-percent notes due in 2021, the company has said.

• Comex copper prices decline further Apr 22, 2013

  Comex copper prices continued their downward slide April 22 due to weaker-than-expected demand from China coupled with an earthquake that rattled the Sichuan province April 20.

• GAA acquires European ferroalloy producers Apr 22, 2013

  Georgian American Alloys Inc. (GAA) has acquired two European silicomanganese companies, Georgian Manganese LLC and Vartsikhe 2005 LLC.

• Mining investors looking for projects with short-term returns Apr 22, 2013

  Investors in the mining community are looking for projects that will provide short-term returns, according to Dave Kanagy, executive director of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME).

• Aluminum output up, new orders index falls Apr 22, 2013

  U.S. and Canadian aluminum demand and production rose in early 2013 even as an index for new orders registered a significant year-over-year decline, according to Aluminum Association data.

• Vale’s first-quarter copper output jumps 23% Apr 22, 2013

  Vale SA’s copper production rose sharply in the first quarter thanks to increased output at its Sossego and Sudbury projects.

• Tungsten Corp. buys mining properties in Nev., Idaho Apr 22, 2013

  Junior mining company Tungsten Corp. has acquired options on 100 percent of the tungsten mineral rights at properties in Nevada and Idaho.

• Rusal's 2012 net loss deeper than forecast Apr 22, 2013

  United Co. Rusal has revised its 2012 net loss to $337 million from the previously announced $55 million due to the "material adverse impact" of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s weak 2012 performance.

• DRC province rejects ban on copper concentrate exports Apr 22, 2013

  Moise Katumbi, the powerful governor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC’s) Katanga province, home to the country’s copper heartlands, says the province will defy a central government directive to ban exports of copper and cobalt concentrates.

• ENRC acknowledges plan by Machkevitch consortium Apr 22, 2013

  Billionaire Alexander Machkevitch, one of the founders of Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. Plc (ENRC), is in the preliminary stages of forming a consortium to look at making an offer for the company, ENRC’s board has acknowledged.

• China’s refined copper imports off in March Apr 22, 2013

  China’s net imports of refined copper fell to the year’s lowest level in March while those of concentrates increased, according to Chinese customs data released April 22.

• Boeing sets cuts; design shift said eyed Apr 19, 2013

  Boeing Co. will reduce engineering employment this year, it said, as its largest white-collar union claims the company is also actively looking to shift aircraft design work to Russia.

• U.S. Steel Lake Erie workers to vote April 23 Apr 19, 2013

  United Steelworkers employees at U.S. Steel Corp.’s Lake Erie Works will vote April 23 on a contract offer from the steelmaker as the union continues to consider triggering a 72-hour strike notification clock if an agreement is not reached.

• More copper products mills mull price increase Apr 19, 2013

  A planned price increase by GBC Metals LLC, a division of Olin Brass Inc., for light-gauge, narrow-width and specialty finish products has encouraged other domestic mills to consider implementing a similar hike.

• Titanium sponge imports reflect dip in demand Apr 19, 2013

  Titanium sponge imports were flat in 2012, but a decline in fourth-quarter arrivals appeared to signal a period of lackluster domestic demand which has continued into this year.

• Alupress plans $19.9M aluminum casting plant Apr 19, 2013

  Alupress AG plans to open a $19.9-million aluminum casting plant in Laurens County, S.C., aimed at servicing automotive clients in the region.

• Globe workers bracing for stoppage Apr 19, 2013

  Unionized workers at Globe Specialty Metals Inc.’s facility in Becancour, Quebec, are bracing for a strike or lockout after receiving the company’s final contract offer April 17, which a union official called unacceptable.