Chinese New Year fails to boost mineral markets

摘要

Demand in most mineral markets continued to be flat to weak in January, with fluctuations in prices driven almost entirely by changes in Chinese production activity and policies. Preparations for Chinese New Year on 31 January and the accompanying Spring Festival saw mine and plant closures across several industries, including antimony, fluorspar and graphite, which tightened supplies and prompted price increases for chemical grade antimony metal.