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Base Metals

Base metals are a category of common industrial metals that oxidise, tarnish or corrode relatively easily when exposed to air or moisture, distinguishing them from precious metals such as gold and platinum. The group typically includes copper, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminium and tin, all of which are traded on major commodity exchanges and form the backbone of global manufacturing and construction. Base metals are essential inputs for infrastructure development, electrical systems, transportation equipment, packaging and a wide range of consumer goods. Copper is the most economically significant base metal, prized for its electrical conductivity and used extensively in power generation, transmission and electronics. Zinc is primarily consumed in galvanising steel to prevent corrosion, whilst aluminium is valued for its light weight and corrosion resistance in automotive, aerospace and packaging applications. Lead finds use in batteries, radiation shielding and certain alloys, and nickel is a key component in stainless steel and battery technologies. The base metals sector is cyclical, with prices and demand closely tied to global economic growth, industrial production and infrastructure investment, particularly in major consuming regions such as China, Europe and North America. Mining and refining of base metals is a capital-intensive industry dominated by multinational producers operating large-scale open-pit and underground mines, smelters and refineries across Africa, Latin America, Australia, Canada and Asia. Environmental and social considerations, including energy consumption, emissions, water use and community impacts, are increasingly central to the sector's regulatory and operational landscape. Base metals have been mined and traded for millennia, but the modern industry took shape during the industrial revolution and expanded rapidly in the twentieth century alongside urbanisation and electrification.

Base Metals News


Grid infrastructure requirements reshape base metals demand outlook to 2040 – WoodMac
Grid infrastructure requirements reshape base metals demand outlook to 2040 – WoodMac
17th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Research from consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) finds that the base metals required to power the global data centre boom extend far beyond the servers, cooling units and enclosures inside these... 


PhosCo eyes more inventory growth with another discovery
PhosCo eyes more inventory growth with another discovery
9th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed PhosCo has made another discovery at its Gasaat phosphate project, in Tunisia, with drilling having intersected thick, shallow phosphate mineralisation at the KH prospect, just 3.5 km... 


Nyrstar's Port Pirie smelter in Australia
Base metals refiner Nyrstar under suspicion of forgery in Antwerp
8th June 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Euronext Brussels-listed base metals miner Nyrstar has advised of it being placed under suspicion of alleged forgery, the use of false annual accounts and the misuse of corporate assets by the... 


Golden Eye prospect at the Chibougamau project, in Québec
Central Asia proposes ‘win-win’ takeover of Cygnus and its Québec flagship
2nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Aim-listed base metals miner Central Asia Metals has proposed to acquire ASX- and TSX-V-listed Cygnus Metals at an implied equity value of A$232-million. The companies have entered into a... 


General Copper Gold inks deal to acquire Namibia exploration licence, property
5th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Independent mineral exploration company General Copper Gold has entered into an option agreement with private arm’s length company Frantier Mining Namibia, granting General Copper the sole,... 


Copper roll closeup
Goldman warns on copper as Iran war threatens global economy
7th April 2026 By: Bloomberg

Copper is vulnerable to further declines if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, Goldman Sachs Group warned as metals markets brace for President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to agree a deal... 


Boliden makes big investments at Garpenberg and Rönnskär
Boliden makes big investments at Garpenberg and Rönnskär
18th March 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Swedish base metals group Boliden will invest SEK4-billion in a new hoisting system at its Garpenberg mine, as it looks to sustain production and unlock additional mineralisation at the long-life... 


Lundin upsizes credit facility to $4.5bn
27th February 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canadian base metals producer Lundin Mining has increased its unsecured revolving credit facility, lifting the total committed amount to $4.5-billion and extending the maturity to February 26,... 


Kali consolidates Pilbara footprint
25th February 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Perth-based junior Kali Metals has consolidated its Pilbara footprint by acquiring SQM Australia's 30% interest in the DOM’s Hill and Pear Creek projects in Western Australia. The transaction will... 


MINROM Consulting CEO Oscar van Antwerpen talks to Mining Weekly ahead of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town.
MINROM highlights value-driven mining solutions at Mining Indaba
9th February 2026

Geology consulting mining engineering firm MINROM Consulting is positioning itself as a key partner for mining entrepreneurs seeking to unlock greater value from mineral resource assets across... 


The above image depicts Deloitte Africa technical mining advisory leader Stewart Nupen
Global demand for Africa’s base metals on the up
16th January 2026 By: Lynne Davies

In addition to their sizeable output, high-quality ore and increasing efforts towards bolstering local beneficiation, Africa’s key base metals projects are important sources in global supply... 


Platinum bars
LME to stop holding price-setting PGM auctions for the LBMA next year
20th November 2025 By: Reuters

The London Metal Exchange (LME) will stop administering auctions that set platinum and palladium prices for the London Bullion Market Association next year so it can focus on its core base metals... 


Develop’s Woodlawn ramp-up on track, strong forecast from Sulphur Springs
Develop’s Woodlawn ramp-up on track, strong forecast from Sulphur Springs
28th October 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

Base metals miner Develop Global is on track to reach steady-state production early next year at its Woodlawn copper/zinc mine, in New South Wales, while an updated definitive feasibility study... 


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pqt: 0.065s - ct: 0.115s - 219pq - 2rq
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