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Sherritt lifts 2020 nickel guidance

  • : Fertilizers, Metals
  • 20/01/22

Nickel and cobalt producer Sherritt raised its 2020 nickel production guidance from the previous year at its Moa joint-venture in Cuba, while cobalt output expectations were unchanged.

Sherritt expects to produce 32,000-34,000 metric tons (t) of nickel in 2020 at its joint-venture enterprise with General Nickel of Cuba, up by about 3pc from last year. Cobalt production outlook for the site is unchanged from the previous year at 3,300-3,600 t/yr.

Nickel output from the Moa joint venture increased by 8pc to 33,108t in 2019, while cobalt production moved higher by 4pc to 3,376t of cobalt in the same period.

At Ambatovy in Madagascar, Sherritt's former joint venture with Sumitomo and Korean Resources, nickel production increased by 2pc to 33,733t in 2019 compared with the previous year and cobalt production also grew by 2pc to 2,900t from the prior year period.

Sherritt became a defaulting shareholder in the Ambatovy Nickel Project on 5 March 2019. It did not provide production guidance for the upcoming year as it no longer considers it an operating segment for its accounting purposes.

By Nicholas Bell


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25/04/25

Norway’s Yara fertilizer output, deliveries rise in 1Q

Norway’s Yara fertilizer output, deliveries rise in 1Q

London, 25 April (Argus) — Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara posted an increase in its output, earnings and deliveries in January-March compared with the previous year. Yara's finished-fertilizer output in the first quarter rose to 4.9mn t, up by 6pc on the year, driven by increased demand. Yara's financial year runs from January to December. Yara's first-quarter urea production stood at just over 1.1mn t, down by 5pc on the year, while nitrate output jumped to 1.48mn t, up by 19pc on the year. First-quarter NPK output also rose to 1.59mn t, up by 7pc on the year. Its ammonia output in the quarter stood at 1.72mn t, marking a slight 1pc decline from the 1.74mn t produced a year earlier. Yara's first-quarter fertilizer deliveries rose to 5.8mn t, up by 10pc on the year, mainly driven by Europe and Brazil. Its first-quarter earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda), excluding special items, stood at $638mn, a jump of 47pc from a year ago, owing to increased deliveries, mainly driven by Europe and Brazil, higher margins and reduced fixed costs. US tariffs limit impact on urea markets Although the geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly, the US tariffs announced in April have had a "limited impact on the global urea markets so far but could lead to altering trade flows", according to Yara. The producer's imports into the US are limited and represent less than 5pc of consolidated revenues and delivered volumes, it said. Yara said that it is prioritising higher-return core assets and is therefore targeting a reduction of fixed cost and capex of $150mn by the end of 2025. The producer said that it is on track to ensure that the fixed cost run-rate inflation of $2.38bn pre-2026 will be achieved. Yara expects to see a tightening global supply balance in the future as industry projections for supply growth for 2025 onwards are significantly below trend consumption growth. "Combined with strong demand fundamentals, this indicates a tightening global supply/demand balance in the coming years, improving European production margins as gas prices are expected to be lower," Yara said. But China's export policy remains a key uncertainty, especially for the short-term global supply/demand balance. By Suzie Skipper Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil's Usiminas steel price outlook murky


25/04/24
25/04/24

Brazil's Usiminas steel price outlook murky

Sao Paulo, 24 April (Argus) — Brazilian steel producer Usiminas' outlook for prices was mixed as steel output rose in the latest quarter. Usiminas commercial vice-president Miguel Homes said that pressure from imports and the Brazilian real's recent appreciation to the US dollar may force the producer to adjust spot prices in the future. At the same time, the company expects prices to remain flat in the coming quarter, according to its quarterly earnings release. Usiminas confirmed a 3pc price increase for automotive manufacturer contracts in April, which could signal an opportunity for a price reduction in light of the real's appreciation. The real has appreciated by 12.5pc to the US dollar year-to-date, slashing feedstock costs for Usiminas but also pressuring its domestic price levels. Brazilian mills have been unable to raise prices because of strong import flows, which increased 30pc in the first quarter, reaching 1.7mn metric tonnes (t). Usiminas sales rose to 1mn t in the first quarter, up by 9pc from the same period a year earlier. The company expects its sales volumes to be stable in the coming months. It also boosted crude steel output to 773,000t in the first quarter, 10pc above a year prior. Rolled-steel production remained flat at 1mn t. The company exported over 90,000t of steel in the first quarter. Argentina's automotive and oil and gas pipeline industries accounted for 81pc of Usiminas'steel exports , Usiminas said. Iron ore production reached 2.1mn t in the first quarter, up by 12pc from a year earlier. The company sold 2.2mn t of iron ore, marking 13pc growth from a year before. Exports accounted for 75pc of first quarter sales and profits in the period soared by over ninefold to R337mn ($65mn). By Isabel Filgueiras Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Freeport expects tariffs to increase costs 5pc


25/04/24
25/04/24

Freeport expects tariffs to increase costs 5pc

Houston, 24 April (Argus) — US-based copper producer Freeport-McMoRan expects tariffs to increase the costs of goods needed for operations by 5pc, as suppliers will likely pass on tariff-related costs. The 145pc tariffs imposed by the US on China on 10 April will likely have the largest influence on the estimated 5pc increase, according to Freeport-McMoRan chief executive officer Kathleen Quirk. Approximately 40pc of the company's US costs will not be subject to tariffs, as they relate to labor and services. Copper is currently exempt from tariffs after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 25 February launching a Section 232 investigation into the effect of copper imports on US national and economic security. Freeport said that its first quarter copper sales volumes of 872mn lbs exceeded its earlier estimate of 850mn lbs. But copper sales revenue decreased to $872mn this quarter from $1.1bn the first quarter of 2024. Copper production and sales were pressured in the quarter by shut operations at its Manyar smelter in Indonesia following sfire in October . The company expects start-up activities to begin at the smelter in the second quarter and return to full operations by the end of 2025. The company's molybdenum first quarter sales remained the same as 2024 first quarter's at $20mn. Freeport's net income for the first quarter was $352mn, a decrease from $473mn in the first quarter of 2024. By Reagan Patrowicz Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening


25/04/24
25/04/24

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

Houston, 24 April (Argus) — The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will delay the reopening of the Tennessee River's Wilson Lock by three weeks after high floodwater disrupted repair plans. The Wilson Lock is now planned to reopen in mid-June or July, the Corps said this week. The lock's main chamber has been closed since September after severe cracks were found in the structure. The Corps initiated evacuation procedures so personnel and equipment could be removed before any water entered the dewatered lock and ruined repairs after high water appeared too close to the lock's edge. The water did not crest above the temporary barrier the Corps installed to keep water out. Delays at the lock averaged around 10 days as of 24 April, according to the Corps. Barge carriers fees have been in place for each barge that must pass through the auxiliary chamber of the lock since 25 September, when the lock first closed. Restricted barge movement placed upward pressure on fertilizer prices in surrounding areas as well. The lock still requires structural repairs to the main chamber gates, including the replacement of the pintle components, the Corps said. This is the fourth opening delay the Corps have issued for the Wilson Lock, with the prior opening dates being in November , then April and then in June . The Wilson Lock will enter its eighth month of repairs next month. By Meghan Yoyotte and Sneha Kumar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

SA Recycling expands Atlanta shredder rail spur


25/04/24
25/04/24

SA Recycling expands Atlanta shredder rail spur

Pittsburgh, 24 April (Argus) — US scrap metal processor SA Recycling is expanding the rail spur at its Doraville, Georgia, shredder, which is about 20 miles northeast of Atlanta. The expansion will nearly double rail capacity at the facility by boosting its daily carloads from 14 up to 25 per day, according to railroad Norfolk Southern. The company worked with the railroad to establish a direct connection between its scrap yard and the rail yard to eliminate mainline switching conflicts and congestion. SA's Doraville shredder can process up to 200 cars/hour. It is one of 28 SA operations across the state, according to the company's website. The Orange County, California-based company is a 50-50 joint venture between Sims and Adams Steel. By Brad MacAulay Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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