CME to launch tungsten futures to meet rising demand for critical minerals

Chicago-headquartered CME Group on Monday said it will launch tungsten futures to meet rising demand for its metals complex, which registered record volume this year. The contracts are expected to begin trading in early 2027, pending relevant regulatory approvals, CME said in a statement. With annual production of 85 000 to 95 000 metric tons, the global tungsten market is …

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Silver (XAG/USD) Outlook: From record highs to a prolonged correction

After the stellar start of 2026 for the precious metal, silver remains subdued around $60 as high yields and dollar pressure the outlook. Silver has experienced a remarkable reversal in 2026. Prices surged above $120 in late January, supported by strong investment demand, tight physical supply and growing enthusiasm around precious metals. The rally was particularly aggressive compared with gold, …

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Nickel shortage forecast flips to surplus

The global nickel market is heading for another surplus this year, reversing an earlier forecast for a shortage, the International Nickel Study Group says. Production is forecast at 3.87 million tonnes against demand of 3.85 million tonnes in 2026, leaving a 19,000-tonne surplus. The excess is expected to widen to 70,000 tonnes next year, the Lisbon-based intergovernmental body said in …

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China’s Rare Earth Strategy and the Future of the South China Sea

The rise of seabed mining will add new complexity to the South China Sea disputes. In August 2026, Japan and the United States worked together to explore extracting rare-earth-rich mud from the seabed near Minamitorishima. It offered a glimpse into the next phase of critical minerals competition. The race for rare earths is no longer confined to land mines and …

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Interest in rare earths surges in Brazil on several fronts

Interest in the rare earths sector has surged in Brazil, ranging from more mature initiatives to preliminary analyses of projects in a segment in which the country has the potential to become a global powerhouse. Between 2021 and 2025, the number of research authorizations for rare earths increased 485.4%, according to data from the National Mining Agency (ANM), the sector’s regulator. …

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Copper squeeze breathes new life into old mines

In 1899, the Mt Lyell mine in Tasmania produced some 9 500 metric tons of copper. That made it the largest copper mine in the British Empire, though small by today’s standards. In September, after 12 years idle, owner Sibanye-Stillwater approved a restart of Mt Lyell, putting it among a string of copper mines around the world being revived due …

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Gold Miners: Strong Fundamentals Meet Underrated Valuations

Advisors and investors have certainly been keeping an eye on gold prices as of late, but what’s going on with the gold miners themselves may be equally as interesting. Key Takeaways: Gold miners performed well in August, given that the precious metal offered a potent use case during the debasement trade and a weakening dollar. Despite gold miners offering strong …

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Aluminium’s calm belies lingering supply-chain stress, Reuters column says

Iranian missile attacks on Gulf smelters and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz have knocked out almost 3-million metric tons of aluminium production capacity. Yet, eight months on, the market is seemingly unconcerned. Indeed, London Metal Exchange (LME) three-month aluminium is now trading just above $3 000 a ton, which is where it was in early February before the …

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Copper Demand Is Forecast to Rise 50% by 2040. Mined Supply Is Expected to Peak Around 2030

Global copper demand is projected to rise about 50%, from roughly 28 million metric tons in 2025 to 42 million metric tons by 2040, according to S&P Global’s January 2026 outlook, which warns that the market could face a shortfall of up to 10 million metric tons by 2040 without major new mining and processing investment. The Business Research Company …

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