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May was a busy month for base metals. Here the Investing News Network looks at the five top base metals articles for the month of May, summarizing them for those who may have missed them the first time around.
May was a busy month for base metals, with events including miner strikes in Peru, approval for the massive underground expansion at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine and some much-needed boosts in the iron ore price.
Here the Investing News Network looks at the five top base metals articles for the month of May, summarizing them for those who may have missed them the first time around.
1. World’s Biggest Mining Companies Betting on Copper
Coming in at the top of the list is an article that explains why five of the world’s largest mining companies have been buzzing about copper. According to a Bloomberg report, executives from BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP,ASX:BHP,LSE:BLT), Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO,ASX:RIO,LSE:RIO), Glencore (LSE:GLEN), Antofagasta (LSE:ANTO) and Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) have all said good things about the red metal of late; most believe a deficit will be coming up in the near future.
2. The Common Man: It’s Time to Think Zinc
Business writer Robert Simpson explains why many experts are positive on the zinc space, citing a potential global supply deficit and drops in London Metal Exchange stockpiles. He also discusses why he’s keen on zinc-focused base metals miner Trevali Mining (TSX:TV).
3. Iron Ore Price on the Rise Again
At the beginning of May, the iron ore price gained for the first time in awhile thanks to big moves made by industry giants — specifically, BHP Billiton made the decision to slow its expansion plans at Port Hedland, while Vale (NYSE:VALE) reduced its iron production forecast for the year. Meanwhile, China saw its port stockpiles take a dip.
4. Equitas Up Over 20 Percent After Identifying Nickel-Copper Sulfide Targets at Garland
Canada-based Equitas Resources (TSXV:EQT) caught the attention of readers when it announced it has identified nine area of conductivity that are prospective for nickel-copper sulfides at its Garland nickel-cobalt-PGM property near Labrador, Canada. The positive news directly affected the company’s share price, which saw a boost of over 20 percent following the results. Moving forward, Equitas is set to start a summer drill program at Garland in June.
5. Iron Ore Price Boosted as Stocks at Chinese Ports Drop
The iron ore price enjoyed another boost at the end of May as Chinese port stocks dropped further. Scotiabank’s Patricia Mohr discussed the improvement in her monthly Commodity Price Index report, also commenting on BHP Billiton’s decision to delay further expansion at Port Hedland. However, Mohr also said she doesn’t expect to see any genuine pickup in the price for another 12 to 18 months.
Securities Disclosure: I, Kristen Moran, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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