Nonferrous

• South Africans welcome reports of power deal for Alcan smelter Nov 15, 2006

  Reports that Alcan Inc., Montreal, is set to sign a power deal with utility Eskom Holdings Ltd. for its proposed $2.7-billion Coega aluminum smelter in South Africa have been welcomed by Coega Development Corp., which promotes economic development in the area.

• ITC renews duties on Chinese silicon metal Nov 15, 2006

  The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted Wednesday to keep existing anti-dumping duty orders on silicon metal from China, but to revoke duties on the same material from Brazil. The commission was unanimous in its decision.

• Sudbury workers yet to see changes under CVRD Nov 15, 2006

  Workers at Cia. Vale do Rio Doce’s Sudbury, Ontario, operations have not yet experienced any changes under new ownership and haven’t been asked about the prospect of working with Xstrata Plc’s union to achieve the basin’s potential synergies.

• Alcoa appoints controller, new vice presidents Nov 15, 2006

  Alcoa Inc. has appointed Joseph R. Lucot as vice president – corporate controller and has elected him an officer of the company along with four new additional officers.

• Molybdenum prices to remain stable into 2007 Nov 15, 2006

  Molybdenum prices are expected to hold steady into 2007 on reduced output from three significant industry players.

• Japanese copper smelters oppose price participation removal Nov 15, 2006

  Japanese copper smelters are expected to reject plans by BHP Billiton to eliminate the price participation element of annual treatment and refining charge (TC/RC) contracts because of the exposure to high financing costs, traders said.

• Investor buying could drive silver to $15/oz. Nov 15, 2006

  Silver prices could spike to $15 per ounce during the next few months on the strength of investment demand after averaging $11.24 during the first 10 months of the year, according to GFMS Ltd., the London-based precious metals consultancy.

• Asarco, union restarting contract negotiations Nov 15, 2006

  Asarco LLC will resume labor negotiations with union leaders this week as they slowly work toward securing a new contract.

• Silver could reach $15/ounce on investor demand GFMS Nov 15, 2006

  Silver prices could spike to $15 per ounce during the next few months on the strength of investment demand, after averaging $11.24 during the first 10 months of this year, according GFMS Ltd., the London-based precious metals consultancy.

• Local group hails Coega power deal Nov 15, 2006

  Reports that Alcan Inc. is set to sign a power deal for its proposed $2.7-billion Coega aluminum smelter project with utility supplier Eskom Holdings Ltd. were welcomed by the Coega Development Corp., which promotes economic development in the area.

• Asarco and unions resume labor negotiations Nov 15, 2006

  Asarco LLC will restart labor negotiations with union leaders this week as both sides slowly work towards securing a new contract.

• Peru Copper reports wider net loss Nov 15, 2006

  Peru Copper Inc. lost $2.5 million in the first nine months of the year, incurring slightly more debt than the $2.3 million lost in the same period in the previous year, on account of costs related to the acquisition and exploration of copper deposits in Peru.

• Smelters oppose removal of price participation Nov 15, 2006

  Japanese copper smelters are expected to reject BHP Billiton’s proposal to eliminate the price participation element of annual treatment and refining charge (TC/RC) contracts because of the exposure to high financing costs, traders said.

• Xstrata nickel, cobalt selling rights up in air Nov 14, 2006

  Xstrata Plc has yet to award the marketing rights for its nickel and cobalt more than two months after taking control of Toronto-based Falconbridge Ltd.

• Eramet holds firm; Marietta talks on hold Nov 14, 2006

  Plans for a fresh round of talks at Eramet SA’s Marietta, Ohio, plant have been sidelined once again after company management told a federal mediator it remained firm in its position.

• Consumers hold off on booking copper deals; ’07 premiums rise Nov 14, 2006

  Copper cathode consumers in the United States are holding off on signing annual agreements with producers following a rise in annual premiums for next year.

• US copper premiums hit by weak demand Nov 14, 2006

  Rising copper cathode stocks in the wake of a major weakening in U.S. and overseas demand for metal is putting renewed downward pressure on spot copper premiums.

• BHP annual copper TC/RCs rejected by China smelters Nov 14, 2006

  Chinese copper smelters have rejected treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) proposed by BHP Billiton for 2007 contracts in their first round of annual talks.

• Alcan planning to shut tube plant Nov 14, 2006

  Alcan Inc., Montreal, will close its plastic and laminate tube plant in Lincoln Park, N.J., furloughing 71 employees.

• Alcoa names new chief financial officer Nov 14, 2006

  Alcoa Inc., Pittsburgh, has named Charles D. McLane as its new chief financial officer effective January 1, 2007. McLane will succeed Joseph Muscari, who will become chief executive officer of Minerals Technologies, Inc.

• *** PROSECUTORS EXPAND CHARGES VS. EX-REFCO BOSSES Nov 14, 2006

• Marietta talks sidelined; Eramet tells mediator stance is firm Nov 14, 2006

  Plans for a fresh round of talks at Eramet SA’s Marietta, Ohio, plant have been sidelined once again after company management told a federal mediator it remained firm in its position.

• Silicon tags tighten after Globe files trade case Nov 14, 2006

  The price range for silicon has tightened to between 88 and 91 cents per pound from 86 to 92 cents previously.

• Consumers hold off on inking annual copper agreements Nov 14, 2006

  Copper cathode consumers in the United States are holding off on signing annual agreements with producers following a rise in 2007 premiums.