Copper end use trends

Global mining major Anglo American Plc today said it is keen on roping in local players to forge joint ventures in India's mining sector, where the UK-based firm intends to be a long-term player.

Aluminium prices at LME and SHFE have stopped slumping at a low level since mid October, after major aluminium enterprises reduced production on the market downturn. Under the current economic recession and financial crisis, outputcut is not big enough to reverse the situation of surplus supply, said market analysts here, adding that it is hard to improve aluminium price in a short period. Currently, the whole aluminium industry is losing money

But we heard what Senator Obama had to say at the DNC about outsourcing. He said "he will stop giving tax breaks to companies that are sending jobs offshore and instead give them to companies who create jobs in America".

Could this lead to a retraction of outsourcing work to economies such as India? If yes, copper demand, such as in infrastructure development, might be impacted.

Like Inca Pacific, Southern Copper Corp, Candente Resources, Strike Resources Ltd and Newmont Mining Corp (NEM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) have complained of having to reexamine or delay their projects in Peru because of the global crisis. Southern Copper has said plans for its Los Chancas would be evaluated, and that it may consider dipping into dividends for project funding.

Amsterdam, Nov 5 : A researcher has shown that that an alloy of the metals magnesium, titanium and nickel is excellent at absorbing hydrogen, and is sixty percent less than a battery pack, which brings the world a step closer to the everyday use of hydrogen as a source of fuel for powering vehicles.

The European Union (EU) adopted a directive in late October that will place a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from all flights arriving at or departing from EU airports, starting in 2012.

Could this cap underpin a drive toward lightweighting in aviation?

The European Commission yesterday issued its statement of objections to BHP Billiton's proposed $79.5bn (£49.3bn) hostile takeover of mining rival Rio Tinto, with the main competition barriers thought to be in the iron ore market.

Australian mining major Rio Tinto today said it was bullish on mining prospects in India and is looking into opportunities in eight states in the country

Zambia's copper cathode production rose 12.9 percent to 377,598 tonnes for the eight months to August compared with last year's output during the same period, central bank data showed on Tuesday.

About 2 million tonnes of China's 4.6 million tonnes of refined copper capacity are reducing production rates and cuts may continue through the first quarter of next year, smelter officials said on Tuesday.

That is why Mr Miller believes large pools of money will flow into the sector in the coming years to invest in the US' ageing distribution infrastructure and much-needed new capacity. He said private capital will fill the gap developing from companies lack of access to public equity and debt markets, and to meet new energy and infrastructure needs, enabling deals to go through.

The impact of nanotechnology is potentially large. This Trend Report glimpses at selected nanotech research and development.

The Tanzania government will soon work on recommendations by the two committees set up by the president and parliament on reforms in the mining industry.