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☆ Angola's new diamond mine opens against backdrop of weak demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Miguel Gomes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An employee looks at a rough diamond at "Flanders Manufacturing", as the G7 weighs a ban on Russian diamond imports to reduce revenues for Moscow's war in Ukraine, Antwerp, Belgium, October 30, 2023. Angola's state-controlled diamond miner Catoca found the Luele diamond deposit at the project, previously known as Luaxe, in 2013 in one of the largest discoveries in the diamond industry in more than half a century. De Beers, the world's largest rough diamond producer by volume, estimates 2022 global rough diamond production at 121 million carats. Demand for rough diamonds has been weak in recent months with India - cutter and polisher of 90% of the world's rough diamond - asking the global miners to stop selling it the gemstones to manage accumulated stocks. Catoca, in which Russia's sanctions-hit Alrosa (ALRS.MM) owns 41%, currently holds a 50.5% stake in the Luele project.

Persons: Johanna Geron, Catoca, Paul Zimnisky, De Beers, Luele, Richard Chetwode, Zimnisky, Miguel Gomes, Polina Devitt, Felix Njini, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Antwerp, Belgium, Rights LUANDA, Angola, U.S, China, India

☆ LME appoints new technology manager to strengthen expertise for flagship project
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Traders work on the floor of the London Metal Exchange, in London, Britain September 27, 2018. The LME is the world's largest and oldest forum for metals. Its three-year-long flagship project to overhaul its electronic trading system faces up to a year of further delays and mounting costs, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters in October. From Jan. 15, Baldwin will join the LME, succeeding Mario Quonils who has decided to relocate back to Germany, the LME, owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (0388.HK), said in a statement. "Alistair's knowledge and expertise in running in-house technology platforms will prove invaluable in this regard," he added.

Persons: Simon Dawson, Alistair Baldwin, Baldwin, Mario Quonils, Alistair, Richard Leung, Polina Devitt, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: London Metal Exchange, REUTERS, Companies Hong Kong Exchanges, NatWest Markets, Reuters, Hong Kong Exchanges, HK, HKEX Group, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Germany

REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Global gold demand excluding over-the-counter (OTC) trading slipped 6% in the third quarter as central bank buying fell short of last year's record levels and consumption by jewellers declined, the World Gold Council (WGC) said on Tuesday. Gold demand shot to an 11-year high in 2022 due to the biggest central bank purchases on record. "With geopolitical tensions on the rise and an expectation for continued robust central bank buying, gold demand may surprise to the upside," said Louise Street, senior markets analyst at the WGC. Central bank demand totalled 337.1 tons, down from a record 458.8 tons a year before. QUARTERLY GOLD SUPPLY AND DEMAND (tonnes)** Source: World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends Q3 2023Reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Louise Street, Polina Devitt, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Gold Council, Gold, Thomson Locations: Mendrisio, Switzerland, Central, Europe

Graphite is used in virtually all EV battery anodes, which is the negatively charged portion of a battery. Their announcement boosted China's exports in July as overseas buyers rushed to lock in supply, while the launch of the restrictions slashed exports in August-September. It also makes more than 90% of the final processed material for EV battery anodes. "We have been waiting for (China's) graphite exports to slow," said John Meyer at SP Angel. "Having overproduced synthetic graphite we reckon China is also keen to keep this material within China to meet rapid growth in EV battery demand."

Persons: Phil Noble, Tom Burkett, James Willoughby, Wood Mackenzie, Daisy Jennings, Gray, Willoughby, John Meyer, Polina Devitt, Amy Lv, Eric Onstad, Veronica Brown, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, EV, Global Graphite Advisory, Companies, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, SP, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, BEIJING, China, Canada, Africa, Australia, Brazil, U.S, Wood, Japan, United States, South Korea, India

☆ $1 bln metals SPAC deal backed by Glencore, automakers collapses
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company's headquarters in Baar, Switzerland, July 18, 2017. In June, global miner Glencore (GLEN.L), Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) and Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) battery unit PowerCo agreed to back the deal through an equity investment. Weak economic data from the world's largest metals consumer China, which it has reported since August, affected the investors' appetite for the deal, a source, directly familiar with the situation, told Reuters. "The deal fell apart over price," said another source familiar with the situation, adding the price was higher than the buyers considered realistic after the nickel price declined. Reporting by Polina Devitt and Clara Denina; editing by Timothy Gardner and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Arnd, ACG, Glencore, Appian, Sibanye, Polina Devitt, Clara Denina, Timothy Gardner, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Appian Capital, Chrysler, Reuters, South Africa's, Thomson Locations: Baar, Switzerland, London, Appian, China, Stillwater

The plan could transform the global diamond supply chain, but implementation will depend heavily on India, whose diamond industry employs millions of people who cut and polish 90% of the world's diamonds. If it goes ahead as anticipated, it would split the global consumer diamond market. The EU bought 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) worth of Russian diamonds last year, based on data from Eurostat, as the EU has not banned Russian gem imports nor blacklisted Alrosa. As of 2021, global rough diamond sales totalled $16.4 billion, while demand for polished diamonds was $28 billion, the De Beers report showed. "I think the G7 officials involved with this are taking it quite seriously and I believe they will strictly enforce it.

Persons: Belgium's, Alrosa, De Beers, Paul Zimnisky, Zimnisky, Julia Payne, Polina Devitt, Clara Denina, Shivangi Acharya, Rajendra Jadhav, Toby Chopra, David Holmes, Veronica Brown, Jane Merriman Organizations: EU, Eurostat, De Beers, De, Industry, Belgian, Jewellery Export, Thomson Locations: India, Antwerp, BRUSSELS, LONDON, Ukraine, Belgium, Brussels, Russia, United States, INDIA, AFRICA, Africa

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on five Turkish companies and a Turkish national, accusing them of helping Russia evade sanctions and supporting Moscow in its war against Ukraine. The move is part of a bigger package of measures hitting Russia with sanctions on more than 150 targets, including the country's largest carmaker. The U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on Denkar Ship Construction for providing ship repair services to previously designated vessels of a company connected to the Russian Defense Ministry. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on a major local copper producer - Russian Copper Company. The Treasury slapped sanctions on Finland-based logistics firms Siberica Oy and Luminor Oy, accusing them of sending a wide variety of electronics into Russia.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jonathan Ernst, reconvenes, Wally Adeyemo, we've, Sanayi, Denkar, Ilker Dogruyol, Dogruyol, Tayyip Erdogan, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Polina Devitt, Gleb Stolyarov, Don Durfee, Alexandra Hudson, William Maclean, Paul Simao Organizations: Cancer, White, REUTERS, Rights, Turkish, Ukraine, Reuters, NATO, Treasury, . Treasury Department, U.S . State Department, Denkar, Russian Defense Ministry, State Department, ID Ship Agency, GAZ Group, Russian Copper Company, Siberica, Luminor, U.S, Kurdistan Workers Party, European Union, United, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Russia, Moscow, Turkey, Washington, Ankara, Sweden, United States, Ukraine, Sea, Turkish, U.S, Finland, Kyiv, Hungary, London

☆ London gold body aims to create secure global database
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Melted gold flows out of a smelter into a mould of a bar at a plant of gold and silver refiner and bar manufacturer Argor-Heraeus in Mendrisio, Switzerland, July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies The London Bullion Market Association FollowLONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) on Thursday called for proposals from service firms to create a secure global database that would improve trust in the gold market's value chain. Gold refineries must source gold responsibly under the industry body's accreditation requirements, allowing them access to London's bullion market, the world's largest. The group's database of Russian gold bars held by banks in London helps to prevent sanctions evasion by Russian companies. Reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Ruth Crowell, Polina Devitt, Richard Chang Organizations: REUTERS, Bullion Market, Bullion Market Association, Thomson Locations: Mendrisio, Switzerland, London

The move in August by Russian companies to instead offer fertilisers at market prices could increase India's import costs and subsidy burden amid a rally in global prices, as a top exporter, China, tries to curtail overseas sales. "Russian companies are offering fertilisers at the market prices," the official said, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Reuters Graphics"Russian companies were offering DAP at discounts of as high as $80 (per ton). DAP prices were around $440 per ton in July, he added. "The global fertiliser prices are rising just before crucial state elections in India.

Persons: Amit Dave, Rajendra Jadhav, Polina Devitt, Tony Munroe, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, United, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Ahmedabad, India, Rights MUMBAI, LONDON, China, New Delhi, Russia, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Russian, Mumbai

[1/2] The logo of Russian technology giant Yandex is on display at the company's headquarters in Moscow, Russia December 9, 2022. Maksut Shadaev, the head of Russia's ministry of digital affairs, told parliament in December that around 100,000 IT specialists had left Russia in 2022. It is not yet clear whether Volozh's comments may have any bearing on how Russia decides to proceed with the company. One of the sources said "hawks" in state companies believed nothing at all should be paid to foreigners. Two sources said VTB had never been a serious option as a buyer, given sanctions on the state lender.

Persons: Yandex, Maksut Shadaev, Ramzan Kadyrov, Arkady Volozh, Andrei Kostin, VTB, Alexei Kudrin, Alexander Marrow, Polina Devitt, Mike Collett, White, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, nationalising Nasdaq, Reuters, Yandex NV, Yandex, U.S, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, nationalising, Ukraine, Serbia, Yandex

"It is not going to be easy for them (Russia)," said one industry executive with knowledge of grains exports. Last year, Russia exported a record volume of wheat on ships chartered from international companies and traders. "Most of what is coming out is dealt with by Russian traders using (shadow) fleet ships, which international traders would not touch". The Black Sea remains a critical area for Russian exports, with other locations more complicated and costly. Russia's Black Sea terminals handle about 70% of the country's grain exports.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Eduard Zernin, Zernin, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, Viterra, Dreyfus, Bunge, Denmark's, Mike Salthouse, Rosagroleasing, Victoria Mitchell, Jonathan Saul, Nigel Hunt, Polina Devitt, Gus Trompiz, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: General's, REUTERS, Russia's, Grain, Reuters, International Grains Council, Russian, Control, Thomson Locations: Russian, Odesa, Ukraine, Russia Russia, Moscow, Africa, Novorossiysk, Russia's Union, Russia, Turkey, China, Denmark's NORDEN, Bulgaria, Romania, United States, Europe, Taman, Russia's, ., London, Paris

☆ Lower production in Europe hits global steel output
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) - Global crude steel production fell 1.1% year on year to 943.9 million metric tons in the first half of 2023 due to lower output in Europe and the Americas, World Steel Association data showed on Tuesday. China's 2023 steel production is likely to continue hovering around the 1-billion ton mark for the fourth year in a row, analysts at Citi said in a note on Tuesday. Outside China, Citi expects steel output to rise in the second half of the year and drive full-year ex-China production to 847 million metric tons, up 3.6% from 2022. The World Steel Association also said that it estimated first-half production in sanctions-hit Russia, the world's fifth largest producing country, rose 1% to 37.5 million metric tons. Russia stopped disclosing its steel output as well as the bulk of export and import data after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Persons: Polina Devitt, Mark Potter Organizations: World Steel Association, Citi, Thomson Locations: Europe, Americas, China, Russia, Ukraine

While there are no international sanctions on Russian metal, many consumers are shunning aluminium produced by Rusal (RUAL.MM), which accounts for 6% of global supplies. U.S. import tariffs on Russian aluminium and products are also prompting some consumers to "self-sanction". Some analysts estimate the discount for Russian aluminium at $100-$300 per metric ton, Norsk Hydro said. As LME aluminium prices are referenced in contracts between consumers, producers and traders, the dominance of Russian aluminium in the system is a problem, said Norsk Hydro's Chief Financial Officer Paal Kildemo. "There is still a risk that even more Russian aluminium will be delivered to LME further weighing on the reference price...

Persons: Paal Kildemo, Kildemo, Rusal, Pratima Desai, Polina Devitt, Eric Onstad, Veronica Brown, Jason Neely Organizations: London Metal Exchange, Norsk Hydro, Reuters, Britain's Financial, Authority, Norsk, Shanghai Futures Exchange, CME, Hydro, FCA, Thomson Locations: Norwegian

REUTERS/StringerLONDON, June 24 (Reuters) - Following are facts about oil, gas and grains flows in Russia's southern region of Rostov, where the capital Rostov-on-Don was seized by Russian mercenaries. Russia's main grain exporting terminals on the Black Sea are further south, and this area has been unaffected by the developments so far. OIL & GASThe region of Rostov is not a major energy producer but several big oil and gas pipelines cross its territory. Russia is the world's second largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia. Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft controls many pump stations on the route, including in the Rostov region.

Persons: Wagner, Stringer LONDON, Don, Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Andrey Sizov, Sizov, Dmitry Zhdannikov, Ros Russell Organizations: Southern Military District, REUTERS, Wagner, Reuters, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Thomson Locations: Rostov, Don, Russia, Russia's, Russian, Azov, Saudi Arabia, Novorossiisk, Krasnodar, Voronezh

☆ Glencore, automakers to back $1 bln nickel, copper SPAC deal in Brazil
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company's headquarters in Baar, Switzerland, September 30, 2015. Glencore will invest $100 million in ACG equity. Stellantis and mining investment fund La Mancha Resource Capital will each provide an equity investment of the same amount, while PowerCo will make a $100 million nickel prepayment. During the process, ACG will become ACG Electric Metals and issue new shares, making Glencore, Stellantis and La Mancha owners of 51% and leaving 49% for free float, Artem Volynets, ACG chief executive, told Reuters. The deal "will establish ACG Electric Metals as a premier supplier of critical metals into the western EV value chain," Volynets said.

Persons: Arnd, ACG, Mick Davis, PowerCo, Artem Volynets, Appian, Sibanye, Volynets, En, Rusal, Polina Devitt, Clara Denina, Kirsten Donovan, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Chrysler, Company, Santa, Appian, Chartered, Citigroup, Blue Resources, Metals Acquisition Corp, Glencore, La, La Mancha Resource, Metals, Reuters, South Africa's, Hong, Thomson Locations: Baar, Switzerland, Brazil, London, New York, Western Europe, North America, La Mancha, Stillwater, Santa Rita, Hong Kong

☆ Facing fallout from nickel crisis, LME appoints 'interim' chairman
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) said on Friday it had appointed John Williamson, currently a non-executive director, as interim chairman from the end of April, when current Chair Gay Huey Evans steps down. Williamson's appointment comes as the world's largest and oldest metals forum grapples with slumping nickel volumes after the chaos in March 2022 when the LME suspended nickel trading for more than a week. Metal industry sources are surprised that Williamson's appointment is on an interim basis, which they say creates uncertainty during a tumultuous time. The LME declined to comment on why the appointment was on an interim basis. A lawsuit brought by Elliott Associates and Jane Street Global Trading against the LME for cancelling nickel trades will be heard in a London court on June 20-22.

☆ Big copper deals to take centerstage in Santiago as demand heats up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Lundin Mining Corp (LUN.TO) is paying nearly $1 billion for control of Chile's Caserones copper mine despite ongoing political uncertainty in the country. "The green transformation theme remains a strong tailwind for copper, the king of green metals," Saxo Bank strategist Ole Hansen told Reuters. Global copper demand expected to reach 53 million tonnes annually by 2053 - more than double current levels - but supply is still expected to fall short, according an S&P Global (SPGI.N) study. And Hudbay Minerals Inc (HBM.TO) last week said it would pay $439 million for rival Copper Mountain Mining Corp (CMMC.TO). Neighboring Peru, the world's second-largest copper producer, also expects to boost production this year.

☆ Gupta seeks extension to challenge freezing order in Trafigura case
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) - Prateek Gupta's lawyers are seeking an extension of a deadline to challenge a $625 million global freezing order imposed by a London Court on the Indian businessman and his firms until June, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. Freezing orders are injunctions granted by the English courts to restrain individuals or businesses from disposing of or dealing with assets on a worldwide basis. Gupta previously aimed to prepare "a robust response" to the allegations and file the application to remove the freezing order by April 6. A London court imposed the freezing order, dated Feb. 8, on bank accounts and other assets tied to Gupta and seven companies Trafigura said are controlled by him, including those in Britain, Singapore, Malaysia and Switzerland. Reporting by Pratima Desai, Eric Onstad and Polina Devitt; editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: LME's measures to revive its nickel contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) on Thursday launched sweeping measures to revive its flagging nickel contract, including plans to cut waiting times and scrap fees for new brands of the metal that can be delivered against its contract. Below is the list of the initiative:- The LME plans to cut the waiting period to approve new nickel brands to three months of regular sample assaying while also waiving fees. - The LME will consider broadening its nickel contract to include coarse nickel powder, which can be converted and used in production of batteries, to increase the amount of nickel eligible for delivery. - The LME will work with the Qianhai Mercantile Exchange (QME) to develop a China-based spot market for nickel sulphate and nickel matte to support trade flows in Asia. - The LME plans to consider whether temporary measures, designed to address the current low levels of stocks - a backwardation limit and deferred delivery mechanism - should be made a permanent element of its rulebook.

☆ LME finds 'irregularities' in several nickel bags at a warehouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 17 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) on Friday postponed the resumption of nickel trading during Asian hours by a week to March 27 after it found nickel that failed to meet contract specifications at an LME warehouse. The LME said it had cancelled nine nickel warrants - an ownership document for metals placed in an LME-approved warehouse - at one warehouse facility, without naming it. The LME said the non-conformant warrants represent 0.14% of live nickel stock in its warehouses. The 146-year-old LME said the issues with nickel related to bagged nickel briquettes, which were found to not have the correct weight. The exchange said it had no reason to believe that any other LME facility was affected, but still called on all warehouse operators to undertake inspections of warranted nickel.

☆ Russian rouble down with oil prices, trade remains thin
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Summary This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in UkraineMOSCOW, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The rouble opened weaker on Wednesday amid lower oil prices and thin trading volumes during public holidays in Russia. At 0714 GMT, the rouble was 0.6% weaker against the dollar at 71.54 and had lost 1.1% to trade at 75.64 versus the euro . Brent crude oil , a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was down 0.4% at $81.8 a barrel. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index (.IMOEX) was 0.2% higher at 2,176.77 points. For Russian equities guide seeFor Russian treasury bonds seeReporting by Polina Devitt; editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Russia is on track to harvest a record grain crop of 150 million tonnes, including 100 million tonnes of wheat, in 2022. SANCTIONS CAUSE SOME LOSSESSovecon and another consultancy IKAR see December wheat exports at 4.0-4.2 million tonnes. That is close to the record of 4.3 million tonnes set in December, 2017, Sovecon said, adding that Russia exported 4.3 million tonnes of wheat in November. Sovecon expects Russia's July-December wheat exports at 22.9 million tonnes, up 2% year-on-year and equal to the average of the past five years. It estimates Russia's total 2022/23 grain exports at 56.1 million tonnes, including 43.7 million of wheat.

☆ Putin, Kudrin touch on future of Yandex in late-night meeting -sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Russian internet group Yandex is pictured at the company's headquarter in Moscow, Russia October 4, 2018. Sources told Reuters that Kudrin, one of the country's top economic officials and a long-time colleague of the president, is expected to leave his role as head of Russia's Audit Chamber to take up a position with Yandex. Two of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely, said Putin and Kudrin had discussed Yandex. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he could not confirm whether the meeting had taken place or not. Reporting by Polina Devitt, Darya Korsunskaya and Alexander Marrow; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Yandex parent to review ownership of Russian tech giant, seek divestment
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine. Yandex N.V. said it had started a "strategic process to review options to restructure the group's ownership and governance in light of the current geopolitical environment". "As part of the intended restructuring of the group, the board anticipates that Yandex N.V. will in due course be renamed, with the business to be divested retaining exclusive rights for the use of the Yandex brand," Yandex N.V. said in a statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin and former finance minister Alexei Kudrin addressed the future of Yandex in a late-night meeting, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. Yandex N.V. said the strategic process was at a preliminary stage and that any changes would ultimately require shareholder approval.

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