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MMTA

  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Join the MMTA
    • 关于MMTA
    • 为什么加入MMTA
    • 申请加入MMTA
    • Anti-trust Policy
    • Rules and Articles of Association
    • Committees
    • Friends of Mufulira
  • Minor Metals
    • Minor Metals in the Periodic Table
    • Glossary of Minor Metal Terms
    • Metal Norms
  • Trade Services
    • Trade Regulations
    • REACH
    • Mediation and Arbitration
    • Metal Norms
    • Sampling and Assaying Guidelines
  • Warehouses
    • Approved Warehouses
    • Warehouse Criteria
    • Warehouse Registration
    • Warehouse Procedures
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainable Minor Metals
  • Members
    • Members’ Directory
  • News
    • MMTA国际小金属贸易协会期刊
    • The Crucible
    • Crucible Back Issues
  • Events and Bookings
    • Events
    • Conference
    • 国际小金属年度贸易峰会
    • Industry Events
  • Resources
    • Resources Library padlock
    • Useful Links
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
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    Welcome to the MMTA

    Metals that change the world

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    Minor Metals Trade Association

    Promoting essential elements that add quality, safety and enjoyment to our lives

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    Strength & Unity Through Association

    The MMTA is the world's leading minor metals industry association

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    Minor Metals

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The Crucible: April 2025

Lisbon skyline above the sea, seen from Almada, Portugal. Photo by Imagepixels at Shuttlestock

Welcome to Lisbon and the Conference Crucible

by Polina Sparks April 4, 2025

  Dear MMTA Members and Colleagues, Welcome to the Conference edition of the Crucible. If you are reading it in Lisbon, as we hope you are able to, it is…

large container vessel being unloaded at the port of Rotterdam. photo by Beketoff at Shuttlestock.

Geopolitical tensions leave minor metals trade in disarray

April 7, 2025
model of a fuel section of a nuclear reactor in a blue light

View from North America

April 7, 2025
New patients continue to be seen in March 2025

A Renovated Labour Ward at Ronald Ross General Hospital delights local people in Mufulira

April 7, 2025
View of Lisbon with red tiled rooves, looking out to sea. Section of Photo by Sierra Ong at Shuttlestock

MMTA 2025 Conference Speakers and Programme

April 7, 2025

The Crucible: March 2025

A ferro-alloy factory worker tipping a ladle furnace full of molten metal. Photo by Panksvatouny at Shuttlestock

Welcome to the March Crucible

by Polina Sparks March 31, 2025

  Dear MMTA Members, Welcome to the March Crucible. It has been a busy quarter marred by ill-health, but what felt like an endless winter is finally over, and days…

Dufferent styed Earth globes sitting next to each other Photo of konektus Photo at Shuttlestock

The Consequences of National Animosity

March 31, 2025
wooden car and charging battery silhouettes against a sunrise background

Lanthanum: Solid State Batteries beckon

March 31, 2025
Section of the periodic table of elements with gallium and germanium in focus, with white letters on a green background

Gallium production is coming back to Europe after China’s export controls

March 31, 2025
The White House in Washington DC, with the United States of America flag flying, behind an iron fence, on a sparse green lawn against a blue sky. Photo dated February 2025, by Andrew McCulough at Shuttlestock

View from North America

March 31, 2025

The Crucible: December 2024

December 2024 cover of The Crucible, the magazine of the Metal Trade Association, with a photo of Whitehall, London street

Welcome to the December Crucible

by Polina Sparks December 19, 2024

Welcome to the December Crucible As the year draws to a close after a busy  conference season, welcome to this year’s last issue of the Crucible, which looks back on…

White House in Washington DC in winter set snowy grounds surrounded by bare trees, with a blue sky above it. Photo by Orhan Cam at Shuttlestock

Space and the Shape of Things to Come

December 19, 2024
Nuclear reactor cooling towers with water steam seen from below against the blue sky. Photo by Valerie Quimener at Shuttlestock

High hopes for Hafnium

December 18, 2024
A graph by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence showing a battery with a list of materials going used to make its various components, including sodium, manganese, vanadium, iron and aluminium in the cathode of a sodium-ion battery compared with lithium, cobalt, iron phsphate, nickel, manganese and aluminium in the cathode material of a lithium-ion battery. The anode is made from hard and soft carbon and aluminium in the sodium-ion battery and from natural and synthetic graohite, silicon and copper for a lithium-ion battery. The sodium-ion battery uses NaPF6 and propylene carbonate in its electrolyte, while the lithium-ion battery uses lipF6 and carbonate-based solvents.

The Sodium ion Batteries: A Complementary Technology to Lithium ion Batteries

December 18, 2024
Boeing 777 aircraft landingm view from below against a sunset sky. Photo by travellight at Suttlestock

Titanium market weighs certification of Chinese sponge

December 19, 2024

The Crucible: September 2024

MMTA logo with blue globe encircled by three grey arrows, and text 'MMTA supporting worldwide trade of critical metals since 1973'

Welcome to new MMTA Members

by Polina Sparks September 30, 2024

The Minor Metals Trade Association is pleased to welcome three new members who joined the MMTA in September. Tungsten Vietnam JSC is a tungsten producer situated in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. It…

Cylinder batteries standing vertically and uplit

The Outlook for Battery Metals

September 30, 2024

Cobalt sulfate: the state of play and what’s to come

September 30, 2024
Aerial view of Molymet NOS metallurgical plant in San Bernardino, Chile. Photo courtesy of Molymet

Molymet launches Mo Re powders

September 29, 2024
Photo of shipping containers stacked up at the port of Hong Kong. Photo by EQRoy at Shuttlestock

China’s export controls rock global antimony market

September 29, 2024

The Crucible: August 2024

News in Brief

by Polina Sparks August 30, 2024

Thank you to all the US members who contributed to the MMTA consultation on the Office of US Trade Representative’s (USTR) consultation on Section 301 tariffs that included proposed 25%…

Black and white photo from the 1930s of a woman in a white lab coat working with laboratory equipment

The Woman Who Discovered Rhenium

August 30, 2024
photo of a one story house standing in a sandy plot. This is the FOM designated guest house at Julius Nguyere that hosted FOM electives

Drought and electricity shortages – but Mufulira battles on

August 23, 2024
Photo of the map of the Democratic Republic of Congo seen through a magnifying glass. Image by Aleksandr Kozak for Shuttlestock

Tantalum smelters wary of DRC, Rwanda sourcing

August 30, 2024
Photo of a black swam swimming in a calm morning sea. Photo by Faiz Zaidi at Shuttlestock

The tungsten price rollercoaster: what is behind the ups and downs?

August 30, 2024

The Crucible: June 2024

Welcome to the June Crucible

by Polina Sparks July 4, 2024

Dear MMTA Members, Welcome to the June issue of the Crucible, the magazine of the Minor Metals Trade Association. Looking ahead to LME Week Before we dive into the news…

Image of bright sun in the blue sky by Artishok at Shuttlestock

Supply constraints push antimony prices to record high

July 4, 2024
An aerial view of electric vehicles in a a manufacturer's parking lot. Image by Fahroni for Shuttlestock

Electric vehicle demand faces geopolitical turbulence

July 4, 2024
Photo of leave close up in sunlight. Image by isak55 at Shuttlestock

The Big Picture

July 4, 2024
MMTA logo with blue globe encircled by three grey arrows, and text 'MMTA supporting worldwide trade of critical metals since 1973'

The MMTA’s public consultation response to Request for Comments

July 4, 2024

The Crucible: May 2024

Aerial view of Singapore featuring sunlit skyscrapers, a red-roofed white church in the foreground, dramatic sky, sea harbour with road bridge. photo by MOLPIX at Shuttlestock

Welcome to the May Crucible

by Polina Sparks June 4, 2024

Dear MMTA Members, Welcome to your May edition of the Crucible magazine, This is its first issue since the MMTA’s International Minor Metals Conference and AGM took place in Singapore…

Waterfront view of Washington DC, featuring white buildings, water, sky, trees. Section of panorama photo by Washington DC panorama, by Songquan Deng at Shuttlestock.

Metal markets take stock of new US tariffs on China

May 31, 2024
View of Singapore skyline with buildings and a ferris wheel looming over treetops. Photo copyright Freya Kerwin, Minor Metals Trade Association

International Minor Metals Conference 2024

May 31, 2024
Photo of shipping containers stacked up at the port of Hong Kong. Photo by EQRoy at Shuttlestock

Strong indium buying in China and cuts to Western production stir up market

May 31, 2024
Panorama photo of the port of Rotterdam showing warves, port cranes and container ships. Photo by Ali A Suliman at Shuttlestock

The Nickel Market and Russia Sanctions — limited impact, turns focus to China 

May 31, 2024

The Crucible: April 2024

Waterside view of Singapore at dusk, featuring cityscape, its reflection in the water and a bright blue sky. Photo by MOLPIX at Shuttlestock

Welcome to the Crucible Conference edition

by Polina Sparks April 18, 2024

The MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2024   In this issue you will find information about the MMTA’s International Minor Metals Conference, including programme and speakers and members standing for…

Image of lithium salt mining at Salinas Grandes on Argentina Andes. Image by Ksenia Rogozina at Shuttlestock

The global energy transition depends on mining – but are we going to make it in time?

April 18, 2024
Close up image of a section of a metal making cell wall hanging equipment, with Less common Metals LCM logo

Less Common Metals — building a sustainable REE supply chain

April 18, 2024
Night-time waterfront view of Singapore with text MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2024, 17-19 April 2024, Singapore

MMTA International Minor Metals Conference – Programme and Speakers

April 18, 2024
Image showing a stack of LFP batteries, by Black Kyra at Shuttlestock

Battery demand reshaping the manganese market

April 18, 2024

The Crucible: February/March 2024

Carved wooden dragon, image by Oasishifi at Shuttlestock

News in Brief

by Polina Sparks March 11, 2024

Dear MMTA Members, Welcome to your February-March edition of the MMTA magazine, the Crucible. After the Lunar New Year holidays in February, that are already feeling like a lifetime ago,…

NASA photo of Orion space probe in space, with Earth in the distance

Gallium in Space

March 11, 2024
Image of BYD LFP battery on display in Sydney, Australia, photo by HDC Creative at Shuttlestock

Iron phosphate redefines preferences in the battery raw materials

March 11, 2024

To be, or not to be, an agent

March 11, 2024
Image of Singapore waterfront with text 'MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2024, 17-19 April 2024, Singapore'

MMTA News: Join the MMTA Board

March 11, 2024

The Crucible: January 2024

Shipping containers, image by chuyuss at Shuttlestock

News in Brief

by Polina Sparks January 31, 2024

Happy New Year 2024   And welcome to this year’s first edition of the Crucible. As we look forward to 2024, new regulations are already coming into play that encompass…

Photo of two men with a large green water tank on its side and another water tank standing up in the background

Some positive signs for Mufulira in 2024

January 31, 2024
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence logo featuring an abstract chart graphic in yellow

Impact of graphite export restrictions in China

January 31, 2024
Photo of a section of the periodic table focused on platinum. Image by Erman Gunes, Shuttlestock

Platinum Group Metals Face Generational Shifts

January 31, 2024
MMTA logo ingrey on white featuring a blue globe and text 'Supporting worldwide trade of critical metals since 1973'

The MMTA is hiring: Membership Administrative Assistant

January 31, 2024

The Crucible: November 2023

EU flag with twelve yellow stars on dark blue background

EU gives the green light to the CRM Act

by Polina Sparks December 15, 2023

After months of deliberations, the European Parliament voted in the second week of December 2023 to adopt the Critical Raw Materials Act. The key aim of this legislation, aside from…

Photo of a worker walking through a Heneken Group factory

Heneken expands in South Africa and North America

December 4, 2023
New York Central Park in the snow in twilight. image by Freepik

MMTA events and News in Brief

December 4, 2023
Digital image of ice being dropped into a whisky glass against a red-glowingbackground. Image by Master 1305 at Shuttlestock

Rare Earths: Heading for a hangover?

December 4, 2023
Fastmarkets logo featuring three purple rectangles stacked long to short descending and text 'Fastmarkets'

Why the rare earths industry needs transparency now more than ever

December 4, 2023

The Crucible: September/October 2023

Photo of shipping containers stacked up at the port of Hong Kong. Photo by EQRoy at Shuttlestock

China’s export controls rock global antimony market

by Polina Sparks September 29, 2024

Antimony prices have been on a rapid uptrend since Beijing announced the addition of antimony and some of its products to China’s export licensing scheme from 15 September, and with…

Image of a cargo ship at port loaded with containers, with the wharf and port cranes in eh background

Moly market dynamics calm following historic volatility, eyes on China

October 5, 2023
Houses of Parliament, London, at sunset

What’s on where in LME Week

October 6, 2023
Image by Olivier Le Moal at Shuttlestock showing a hand turning a blue-lit dial arrows pointing to text that says Overproduction of Underproduction or Equilibrium

Navigating the niobium pricing paradox

October 5, 2023
Gloved hand holding a polycrystalline cadmium zirconium telluride ingot for single crystal growth. Image by TuocaiTech

A quiet technological revolution: Cadmium and Tellurium

October 5, 2023

The Crucible: August 2023

Gumtree growing on granite rock in Australian outback. Photo by Dianne Wickenden at Shuttlestock

Australia’s ambition to supply the world’s critical minerals

by Polina Sparks September 11, 2023

In June this year the Australian Government released its Critical Minerals Strategy for the period to 2030. In this guest article, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission  (Austrade) sets out…

Image of container shipping vessel on water, with text CarbonChain's solution

CarbonChain and MMTA partner to empower the minor metals industry in the low-carbon transition

September 11, 2023
Section of chart illustrating the Project Blue growth forecast for NdFeB magnets in energy transition applications

What does H2 2023 look like for critical materials?

September 11, 2023
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence logo featuring an abstract chart graphic in yellow

The evolving black mass market

September 11, 2023
Image of miner checking processed coltan ore in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Mission Improbable: Reshaping DRC’s artisanal mining

September 11, 2023

The Crucible: June 2023

Photo of he blue sea with waves crashing against the shore

Finders aren’t keepers in a salvaged silver case

by Polina Sparks July 4, 2024

Amid the perilous egg-and-spoon race for seabed exploration, we don’t often get a chance to focus on a more traditional kind of hunting for precious metals on the seabed. Associated…

Interior view of the Nikopol Ferroalloys Plant showing a ladle furnace pouring out molten metal. Image © Polina Sparks, MMTA

News Roundup

June 30, 2023
People sitting at conference tables in a modern ballroom hall at the International Minor Metals Conference 2023

MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2023 Report

June 30, 2023
Sepia photo of Trevor and Marjorie Tarring in on an Arctic Circle Trip. Image featuring man driving and woman in the passenger seat of a vintage car

OBITUARY Trevor Tarring

June 30, 2023

Niobium in batteries: When a downside can be an asset

June 30, 2023

The Crucible: April 2023

Event banner featuring an etched motherboard with processing chip

Hold the date for upcoming MMTA events

by Polina Sparks April 21, 2023

Next week (24-2 April) we look forward to welcoming our members and guests at the MMTA International Minor Metals Conference in Charlotte, NC, USA. Join us for our Anniversary Reception…

Electric vehicle charging

News in Brief – End Markets Roundup

April 21, 2023
Lihtium chemical symbl and rock on battery background. JLStock at Shuttlestock

A critical time for European lithium

April 21, 2023
Gears in motion

News in Brief

April 21, 2023
Extract of lithium supply by cathode material chart

Critical materials underpinning energy transition: Lithium

April 21, 2023

The Crucible: March 2023

View of Cannon Street, City of London

The last 50 years – a short look into the minute book

by Polina Sparks March 31, 2023

Notes from the other side: Retired  metal merchant, Anthony Lipmann, illuminates trading for the young entering the world of metals. The inaugural meeting of The Minor Metals Traders* Association (now…

Container vessel being loaded at port

News in Brief

March 31, 2023
Vector graphic of electric vehicle charging. Image source: Shuttlestock

Energy transition and metal requirements — a realistic assessment

March 31, 2023
Image of steel pipes at a chemical plant. Photo; Shuttlestock

Declining supply supports molybdenum prices

March 31, 2023

Critical materials underpinning energy transition: dysprosium & terbium

March 31, 2023

The Crucible: February 2023

View of Charlotte, North Carolina in spring featuring grass, buildings, sky, sculpture

Celebrate MMTA’s 50th anniversary with us!

by Polina Sparks February 27, 2023

Join us for the MMTA’s 50th anniversary reception with outdoor games on the terrace of Grand Bohemian Hotel in Charlotte, NC, at 6pm on Tuesday 24 April, at the opening…

Mine truck at a stop sign.Image: Makmikha, shuttlestock

The rocks and a hard place

February 27, 2023

Five tips to become the perfect metal merchant

February 27, 2023
Image of trucks loaded with nickel ore approaching the jetty on South Sulawesi island, Indonesia. Featuring ground, vehicles, vessel, sea, sky

Cobalt and nickel supply chains reshaped by Indonesian investments

February 27, 2023

Scandinavian Steel signs molybdenum MoU with Greenland Resources

February 27, 2023

The Crucible: January 2023

An aerial view of electric vehicles in a a manufacturer's parking lot. Image by Fahroni for Shuttlestock

Electric vehicle demand faces geopolitical turbulence

by Polina Sparks July 4, 2024

New US and EU tariffs on Chinese EV supply chains look to further isolate China from its EV ambitions Against a backdrop of slowing electric vehicle (EV) demand growth, the…

Giant rabbit lantern at the New Year parade in Shanghai, 26 December 2022

News in Brief

January 31, 2023
Farrier at work forging a nail- photo by Stefan Ott, Shuttlestock

For want of a nail…

January 31, 2023
Australian flag on a mast billowing against a blue sky with cloud

Letter from North America

January 31, 2023
Spetrometry image. Section of scandium light emitting spectrum

Critical materials underpinning energy transition – Scandium

January 31, 2023

The Crucible: November 2022

A portion of the far side of the Moon just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken Monday, Nov. 21, the sixth day of the Artemis I mission, by a camera on the tip of one of Orion’s solar arrays. The darkest spot visible near the middle of the image is Mare Orientale. Image ©NASA

News in Brief

by Polina Sparks November 30, 2022

Go, Go, Gallium After several false starts, NASA’s Artemis I mission took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 16 November, the first in a series of complex missions…

REETec site - copyright REETec

REETec secures investment for first industrial rare earths plant

December 1, 2022
View inside Less Common Metals factory

Less Common Metals: A UK Magnet Plant to serve automotive and wind turbines could be established by 2025

November 30, 2022
View of Charlotte, North Carolina in spring. image features grass, sky, buildings.

Member profile: London Chemicals and Resources

December 1, 2022
BGS - British Geological Survey logo

MMTA welcomes new Academic Affiliate members

December 1, 2022

The Crucible: October 2022

MMTA LME Week events

by Polina Sparks October 24, 2022

MMTA 49th Anniversary Dinner The MMTA 49th anniversary dinner will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022 at the magnificent De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London. The beautiful…

Photo of the White House in Washington with a green lawn and a blue sky

View from North America

October 22, 2022

News in Brief

October 22, 2022

Critical materials underpinning energy transition: Cobalt

October 22, 2022

Trading Places: Material and Technology Substitution in the Electronic Age

October 22, 2022

The Crucible: September 2022

MMTA remembers HM Queen Elizabeth II

by Polina Sparks September 29, 2022

The MMTA and its membership are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned as Monarch of the United Kingdom for almost 70 years. The…

Umicore opens Europe’s first gigafactory

September 29, 2022

News in Brief

September 29, 2022

Can the US meet critical mineral requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act?

September 29, 2022

Notes from the other side…

September 29, 2022

The Crucible: July/August 2022

The UK Critical Minerals Strategy

by Polina Sparks August 26, 2022

The UK government’s new Critical Minerals Strategy aims to  safeguard the UK’s supply security for critical raw materials. The strategy will be informed by the newly set up Critical Minerals…

News in Brief

August 26, 2022
World map etched on metal

News in Brief — End Market Round-up

August 26, 2022
Minor Metals Trade Association logo

MMTA Discount Codes

August 11, 2022

Critical materials underpinning energy transition: Rare Earths

August 26, 2022

The Crucible: June 2022

News in brief

by Polina Sparks June 30, 2022

  3D printing, lithium power NASA’s Moon mission   As this edition was going to press, NASA launched its CAPSTONE satellite to the Moon. This is the first step of…

Critical materials underpinning energy transition: chromium

June 30, 2022

News in Brief — End Market Round-up

June 30, 2022

Notes from the other side

June 30, 2022

REACH in a post-Brexit United Kingdom

June 30, 2022

The Crucible: May 2022

Critical materials underpinning energy transition: niobium

by Polina Sparks May 24, 2022

Niobium might seem like a strange choice for Project Blue’s first submission to the Crucible on the subject of critical materials underpinning energy transition. After all, it’s mostly used in…

Minor metal supply chains – challenges and opportunities

May 24, 2022

Notes from the other side: Attention to detail!

May 24, 2022
seagull sitting across the Thames river from the Tower of London

London Calling… Be careful dipping your toe in privileged waters…

May 24, 2022

In Brief — End Market Round-up

May 24, 2022

The Crucible: April 2022

CPM Group logo

Paths to financing future minor metals production

by Polina Sparks April 28, 2022

The world of minor metals can be a cruel and unforgiving place. As valuable as these metals are, global markets are small. Tantalum is essential in every computer logic chip.…

Minor Metals Trade Association logo

MMTA AGM minutes 2022

April 22, 2022

News in Brief — End Market Round-up

April 28, 2022

MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2022 Round-Up

April 28, 2022

Trade Contact Group on Ukraine/Russia measures

April 28, 2022

The Crucible: March 2022

Leopold Square, Sheffield

International Minor Metals Conference 2022: Preview

by Polina Sparks April 7, 2022

In just a few days, the MMTA is delighted to be welcoming members and delegates in person to the historic UK city of Sheffield for the International Minor Metals Conference…

the hydroen molecule

Scandium emerges from the shadows

April 5, 2022
MMTA logo with blue square and stylized metal coil

Welcome to Polina Sparks at MMTA Member Services

April 5, 2022

News in Brief — End Market Round-up

April 5, 2022

News in Brief

April 5, 2022

The Crucible: February 2022

China’s raw materials plan targets five key development areas by 2025

by freya@mmta.co.uk February 25, 2022

China’s raw materials plan targets five key development areas by 2025 The country’s new five-year raw materials plan highlights that industry consolidation, environmental considerations, and supply chain security will underpin…

Notes from the other side- Travels with my elements

February 25, 2022

News in Brief – End market statistics

February 25, 2022

Fastmarkets- Minor Metals In Focus: Selenium

February 25, 2022

Tantalum market poised to double by 2031

February 25, 2022

The Crucible: December 2021 - January 2022

Notes from the other side…

by freya@mmta.co.uk February 8, 2022

Notes from the other side…   Retired metal merchant, Anthony Lipmann, illuminates metal trading for the young about to enter the world of metals.   So, you want to be a…

MMTA Member Announcement – CCMA, LLC

February 8, 2022

News in Brief

February 8, 2022

Minor Metals In Focus: Indium

February 8, 2022
Beijing Antaike Information Co Ltd logo set out horizontally in Mandarin font above and English transliteration underneath, in dark blue on white background

China’s RE supply increasing to meet growing demand

January 31, 2022

The Crucible: March 2022

Leopold Square, Sheffield

International Minor Metals Conference 2022: Preview

by Polina Sparks April 7, 2022

In just a few days, the MMTA is delighted to be welcoming members and delegates in person to the historic UK city of Sheffield for the International Minor Metals Conference…

the hydroen molecule

Scandium emerges from the shadows

April 5, 2022
MMTA logo with blue square and stylized metal coil

Welcome to Polina Sparks at MMTA Member Services

April 5, 2022

News in Brief — End Market Round-up

April 5, 2022

News in Brief

April 5, 2022

The Crucible: November 2021

Fastmarkets-Minor Metal In Focus: Antimony  

by freya@mmta.co.uk November 29, 2021

Minor Metal In Focus: Antimony   In our monthly column for the MMTA, we will be shining the spotlight on a different minor metal each edition, looking at current market…

Beijing Antaike Information Co Ltd logo set out horizontally in Mandarin font above and English transliteration underneath, in dark blue on white background

Overview of Current Antimony Industry

November 29, 2021

HFW Legal insights

November 29, 2021

Part 2: The metal student’s dilemma – ‘What can I read?’

November 29, 2021

Extracting high-quality magnesium sulphate from seawater desalination brine

November 29, 2021

The Crucible: October 2021

THE MMTA IS HIRING – Member Services Administrative Assistant

by freya@mmta.co.uk November 4, 2021

THE MMTA IS HIRING  Member Services Administrative Assistant Remote working only 16- 20 hours per week (negotiable) The Minor Metals Trade Association is looking for an administrative assistant to support…

HFW Legal insights London Calling… Off spec – off side?

November 4, 2021
Beijing Antaike Information Co Ltd logo set out horizontally in Mandarin font above and English transliteration underneath, in dark blue on white background

China Rare Earth Market Development Status

November 4, 2021

ESC recommendations on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

November 4, 2021
Sidley logo in blue on white

Trade contact Group plenary session on 30 September 2021 – summary of topics will be of interest MMTA Members

November 4, 2021

The Crucible: September 2021

MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2021 Round-Up

by freya@mmta.co.uk September 30, 2021

Dear Members, This year’s MMTA International Minor Metals Conference was opened by MMTA Chairwoman Donna Vareha-Walsh of Indium Corporation welcoming and thanking all to our conference and noting that some…

The MMTA’s 48th Anniversary Dinner

September 30, 2021

MMTA members joined RWM– Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition

September 30, 2021

New salts raise the bar for lithium ion battery technology

September 30, 2021

Metals supercharge a promising method to bury harmful carbon dioxide under the sea

September 30, 2021

The Crucible: June 2021

Save the Date- The MMTA’s 47th Anniversary Dinner- LME Week

by freya@mmta.co.uk June 28, 2021

SAVE THE DATE   The MMTA’s 47th Anniversary Dinner One Great George Street Tuesday 12th October 2021   Dear Members, We are please to inform you that will be returning…

Opportunity for MMTA Members; RWM 2021: JOIN THE RESOURCE REVOLUTION

June 28, 2021

Roskill: Cobalt as a vital technology enabler 

June 28, 2021

Engineers are developing a new water treatment technology that could also help Mars researchers

June 28, 2021
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Supply-demand factors trigger huge fluctuations in China’s cobalt prices

June 28, 2021

The Crucible: May 2021

Ruthenium and cryptocurrencies

by freya@mmta.co.uk May 28, 2021

Ruthenium and cryptocurrencies It seems as though Bitcoin is in the mainstream news every day, but did you know there are other cryptocurrencies which are less known? If you follow…

Opportunity for MMTA Members, The MMTA and RWM– Recycling & Waste Management exhibition

May 27, 2021

Roskill-Minor Metals in Focus: Chromium

May 27, 2021
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Overview of China’s Molybdenum Prices

May 27, 2021

Researchers observe two-fold symmetric superconductivity in 2D niobium diselenide

May 27, 2021

MMTA国际小金属贸易协会期刊

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中国稀土行业发展现状

by freya@mmta.co.uk November 4, 2021

  稀土是一种重要的战略资源,具有无法取代的优异磁、光、电性能,对改善产品性能,增加产品品种,提高生产效率起到了巨大的作用。被广泛应用于冶金、石油化工、玻璃陶瓷、电子电器等传统领域,以及新材料、新能源、智能装备、电子通讯、轨道交通等新兴领域。稀土是现代工业中不可或缺的重要元素。 众所周知,中国是稀土资源较为丰富的国家之一,也是世界上最大的稀土生产、应用和出口国。但是,中国稀土行业达成当前的局面,是业内经过多年努力的结果。 稀土开发在造福人类的同时,与之相伴的资源和环境问题不断凸显。在稀土开发利用中,资源的合理利用和环境的有效保护是世界面临的共同挑战。近年来,中国在稀土的开采、生产、出口等环节综合采取措施,加大资源和环境保护的力度,努力促进稀土行业持续健康发展。 2006年以来,中国开始对稀土矿产品和稀土冶炼分离产品实施总量进行控制,以期实现对稀土资源有序、高效利用的目标。年度计划一般分两批,分别在上半年和下半年下达。近年来,中国稀土生产指标以稳定且较快的速度逐年提高。2021年度稀土开采、冶炼分离总量控制指标分别为168000吨和162000吨(稀土氧化物REO),同比分别增长20%。 在2016年,中国成立了6大稀土集团,随后的几年,行业整合与大集团内部治理革新持续进行,最终形成了中国稀有稀土股份有限公司、五矿稀土集团有限公司、中国北方稀土(集团)高科技股份有限公司、厦门钨业股份有限公司、中国南方稀土集团有限公司、广东省稀土产业集团有限公司为行业主体的大集团产业协同发展模式。六大稀土集团基本都依托资源和技术优势,业务涵盖稀土资源开发、稀土冶炼分离和稀土功能材料的全产业链。在总量控制计划的指导下,国内主要稀土资源的开发利用告别了恶行竞争而带来的过度开发现象。 黑稀土、稀土生产领域的各种违法行为曾经是长期困扰中国稀土产业健康发展的顽疾。2008年至今,工信部会同公安、海关等多个部门开展相关的打击和整治工作,打击工作由浅入深,在主要稀土资源省区大范围开展。随着稀土大集团整合的完成,首先是北方地区的各类稀土违法现象都得了极其显著的控制。其后随着稀土专用发票、稀土产品追溯体系的建立,南方地区的稀土违法现象也得到了显著控制,黑稀土、走私等违法行为已经基本退出历史舞台。 中国是最重要的稀土供应国,为全球稀土市场包括中国提供了90%的稀土供应量。主要出口产品包括稀土金属及合金、稀土氧化物和稀土化合物。主要出口目的地是美国、日本以及一些欧洲国家。中国稀土行业在产量稳定增长的同时,对全球其他国家的供应量也在增加。根据中国海关发布的最新的数据,今年前8个月,中国累计出口稀土金属及合金6152.9吨,同比增长56.12%;出口稀土氧化物1.52万吨,同比增长32.8%;出口稀土盐类产品1.04万吨,同比增长15.14%。另外,目前稀土最主要的下游应用领域是磁材,中国生产的稀土永磁材料出口到全球100多个国家和地区。今年前8个月,中国累计出口稀土永磁材料3.13万吨,同比增长39.47%。 随着经济全球化的深入发展,中国在稀土领域的国际交流合作日益增多。中国一贯尊重规则,信守承诺,为世界提供了大量的稀土产品。中国将继续按照世界贸易组织规则,加强稀土行业的科学管理,向国际市场供应稀土产品,为世界经济发展和繁荣作出贡献。   北京安泰科信息股份有限公司 稀有稀土和绿色发展项目部稀土专家 张睿  

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2020年全球钽市场现状及2021年价格预测

March 29, 2021

聚焦小金属——钨

March 29, 2021

MMTA 新成员——贵溪大三元集团

February 25, 2021

访谈MMTA中国新成员——贵溪大三元实业(集团)股份有限公司

February 25, 2021
  • MMTA/Fastmarkets round table & MMTA annual NYC Dinner. – 29th January 2026

    by natasha@mmta.co.uk May 6, 2025

      Join Fastmarkets and the Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) for an engaging afternoon of critical metals discussions at the Cornell Club in New York City on Thursday, January 29,…

  • MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2026

    by natasha@mmta.co.uk April 25, 2025

    The MMTA’s International Minor Metals Conference and AGM 2026 will be held in Dubai, on 20th-22nd April 2026. Further details to follow. To find out more, please visit Metal Events…

  • View of Lisbon with red tiled rooves, looking out to sea. Section of Photo by Sierra Ong at Shuttlestock
    CrucibleThe Crucible: April 2025

    MMTA 2025 Conference Speakers and Programme

    by Polina Sparks April 7, 2025

    Speakers Stephen Hall in the managing director of Advanced Alloy Services Ltd, who supply pure metals, revert and toll-process services to the superalloy industry. Having joined the company as Managing…

  • MMTA logo with blue globe encircled by three grey arrows, and text 'MMTA supporting worldwide trade of critical metals since 1973'
    CrucibleThe Crucible: April 2025

    MMTA Board Election 2025

    by Polina Sparks April 7, 2025

    Candidates Standing for Re-election Joel Nields Exotech Joel Nields has 20 years of experience in the Minor Metals scrap processing industry, which includes roles in manufacturing, quality, purchasing, and sales.…

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Events

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T.I.C.’s 66th General Assembly 2025

September 14

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MMTA 52nd Anniversary Dinner 2025

October 14 @ 7:00 pm
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MMTA Christmas Lunch 2025

December 4 @ 12:00 pm

MMTA International Minor Metals Conference 2026

April 20, 2026

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