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BHP's iron ore production drops due to cyclones; copper output gains thanks to Escondida boost
BHP Group announced a slightly lower iron ore production for the third quarter on Thursday, due to cyclones. A ramp-up of Escondida Mine led it to forecast Chilean copper output in 2025 at the upper half its guidance range. After Cyclone Zelia hit Western Australia's Pilbara Region in February, and after Cyclone Sean disrupted operations in January, the world's biggest listed miner had to temporarily stop its operations in Port Hedland. BHP has achieved record output in its Pilbara operations despite the bad weather. The South Flank site and Mining Area C benefitted from the ramp-up last year of South Flank, and the 13% increase in mining activity. As of 0027 GMT the shares of the company had risen 0.6% to A$36.2, largely in line with the 1% increase in the mining sub-index. Copper production increased 10% to 513.200 metric tonnes in the third quarter. This was boosted by a 20% increase in volume at the Escondida Mine in Chile, due to an improved operational performance. The company expects to reach its fiscal 2025 target for unit costs across all its operations, except in its BMA joint venture where costs will rise due to adverse conditions and geological problems at the Broadmeadow coal mine. BHP is leveraging its iron ore revenue, which generates more than half of its earnings, in order to expand its copper and potash project portfolio as it prepares for the growth that will come from the energy transformation. The global miner's Western Australia iron ore operations saw a slight decline in production, from 68.1 to 67.8 millions tons during the first quarter of the year. This is in line with Visible Alpha's consensus estimate of 68.03million tons.
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Alcoa anticipates a $90 million hit from tariffs in the second quarter and sees costs on China increasing annually
Alcoa announced on Wednesday that it expects U.S. Tariffs on Aluminum Imports from Canada will cost the company approximately $90 million during the current quarter. Donald Trump, the U.S. president who took office in January 2017, has announced and then reversed tariffs on many products and countries. Aluminum imports are currently subject to 25% duties. "Approximately 70%" of the aluminum we produce in Canada is for U.S. clients and now is subject to 25% tariffs. The net result for the business is currently approximately $100 million in negative territory, CEO William Oplinger stated during a conference call following earnings. Aluminum producer says tariffs on Canadian imports cost company around $20 million during the first quarter ended March 31. Alcoa gets a part of its materials from Chinese suppliers and is expecting the high U.S. Tariffs to increase its annual costs between $10 million and $15 million, "as it has no other suitable suppliers". Oplinger, speaking about the current production capacity in the United States, said that even if idle smelting capacities were to be restarted, there would still be a shortage of 3.6 millions metric tons. Oplinger said that until additional smelting capacities are built in the U.S. the most efficient supply chain for aluminum is Canadian aluminum entering the country.
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Sources say that over 100 employees have left the US EIA, which puts vital energy data in danger.
Three sources said that the U.S. Department of Energy's statistics division is likely to lose more than 100 employees following the latest round of resignations offered by the Trump Administration. This puts at risk the world's most closely followed energy reports, they added. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes data weekly, monthly, and annually on crude and fuel stocks, oil and gas production, and price forecasts. These are used as indicators by energy companies and traders to determine supply and demand. These reports can have a significant impact on global oil prices. Two sources stated that the EIA had about 350 employees. They said 40% had either left or accepted buyouts. According to one source, the number of departures could be as high as one third, but other sources, such as three EIA employees, claim that the number is in the dozens. Two sources stated that the agency was assessing which reports it could continue to release and those it may have to stop. The EIA has not responded to a comment request. One source claimed that the agency had discussed changing its release schedule. Source: Staffing issues were cited as the reason for the recent shift in publishing the weekly gasoline and diesel fuel updates on Tuesday mornings instead of Monday afternoons. A source stated that many research initiatives including white papers and working papers have been placed on hold indefinitely due to a lack of staff. Regular reports could be modified or shortened. It's difficult to predict whether the weekly energy data will continue. One source said, "I can't imagine how they'll continue over time." Three sources, without specifying the projects, said that the EIA has put new project development on hold or been delayed. Analysts are concerned about the loss of independent data. The EIA data was a great help in determining prices and leveling the playing field. John Kilduff is a partner at Again Capital. He said that it would be detrimental to not have this data. He has used the EIA data as input in every model for more than 20 year. More than 2,600 Department of Energy employees have accepted resignation offers. The hardest hit offices were those dealing with power grid stability, and loans for high tech energy projects. A DOE spokesperson responded to an article's request for comments by saying that the DOE was conducting a review of its entire organizational structure. The spokesperson stated that "no final decisions have yet been made, and multiple plans still remain under consideration." EIA may be the only government agency that publishes such detailed statistics so frequently. Market participants therefore closely monitor its publications in order to make informed trading decisions. The EIA also publishes smaller articles for the public to help explain the jargon and describe the trends in the energy industry. EIA data is used by industry analysts to create their own models or to confirm their models. According to the website of the agency, its data, analyses and forecasts do not require approval from any officer or employee of U.S. Government, thereby ensuring that it is free of bias. Kilduff stated that "This information will be held closely by companies and I do not think that it would be shared with the industry." Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar, Stephanie Kelly, in New York and Valerie Volcovici, in Washington D.C.
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Kennedy to study environmental factors in autism
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health, said on Wednesday he intends to commission a number of studies in order to identify environmental factors that contribute to autism. He claims these are related to its increasing prevalence across the nation. Kennedy, speaking at his first Press Conference since becoming Secretary of Health and Human Services said that the studies will examine mold, air and water, food, medicine and ultrasounds as well as parental risk factors such age, obesity and diabetes. Kennedy spoke a day after U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a data-analysis showing that the prevalence of autism in the U.S. for 8-year olds by 2022 was 1 in 31. The data were published in CDC's Weekly Report. Autism is not known to have a cause, but experts believe it may be a result of combining genetic and environmental factors. The increase in autism rates is attributed by many experts to the widespread screening of children and the inclusion of a wider variety behaviors when defining the condition. Kennedy, a former lawyer for the environment, has promoted a link between vaccines, and autism, which is now debunked. He set a deadline of September for the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to determine the causes behind the increase in U.S. Autism rates. However, he said that by then, "some of these answers" will be available. Previous reports have indicated that the government plans to study the vaccines for measles, rubella, and mumps, as well as autism. Earlier scientific studies found no connection between vaccines, autism and previous scientific studies. Kennedy said he will also move the monitoring of autism rates from the CDC to the newly formed Administration for a Healthy America that he supervises directly. The CDC has previously enjoyed a degree of independence from HHS. Kennedy referred to the rise in autism as a pandemic, but patient advocates and scientist disagreed. The Autism Society is a patient advocacy organization that says the increasing rates are not an outbreak but rather a reflection of diagnostic progress and the need for screenings to be available at a younger age. The Autism Science Foundation released a press release that said researchers are currently investigating how environmental factors could work both independently and together with genes to cause Autism. Last week, a study confirmed that diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of neurological and brain problems, including autism, in children. Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein, Manas Mihsra, Julie Steenhuysen, and Sarah Morland, Washington. Additional reporting by Sarah Morland, Washington. Editing by Caroline Humer and Nancy Lapid.
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EU simplifies reporting requirements for deforestation laws by companies
The European Commission has made changes to the anti-deforestation legislation of the European Union that will take effect in December. The law will prohibit imports of products such as soy, beef and cocoa that are linked to the destruction of forests. Brussels delayed the launch of the policy by an entire year due to complaints from Brazil, Indonesia, and the former Biden administration. The Commission, in response to the industry's demands, published a set of rules late Tuesday that require companies to submit due diligence statements annually rather than each time a shipment or batch is placed on the EU marketplace. By the end June, the EU categorises countries as either high, standard, or low risk. Imports from low-risk countries will be subject to a lighter compliance requirement. In a press release, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Rosawall stated that "our aim is to reduce the administrative burden for businesses while maintaining the goals of regulation." Brussels also rebuffs calls for more policy change and for easier reporting obligations from firms and some sectors, such as the U.S. Paper industry. Some campaigners criticized the changes, saying they weakened the law's efficacy. "Reducing reporting requirements to once a year from every batch is a pendulum that swings extremely from one end to the other. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement," said Antonie Fontaine, director of VOICE Network. The nonprofit campaigned for reform in the cocoa sector. (Reporting and editing by Richard Chang, Maytaal angel and Kate Abnett)
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Mines ministry: Ghana takes over Gold Fields Damang mine
The Mines Ministry announced on Wednesday that Ghana has taken operational control of Gold Fields Damang after rejecting a renewal request from the South African company. The Johannesburg-based mining company announced on Monday that they had been unable to extend their Damang lease which expires on April 18 and were winding down its operations. The company had promised to end the mining operation in a planned manner, but it was still processing stockpiles in Damang. The Mines Ministry said that the return of Damang Mine to state supervision is a crucial step in Ghana's economic re-set, as it ensures its gold reserves benefit directly citizens. The decision was made to align with the policy of stopping the automatic renewals of mining permits in Ghana's gold-producing country, and to reassess the situation to maximize the national benefit. The ministry said that it was looking for value propositions in the use of our minerals resources which are aligned with this. The smaller of Gold Fields’ two mines, Damang is located in Ghana. Tarkwa is the largest open-pit gold mine in Ghana. Damang produced 135,000 gold ounces in 2024. This is about 6% of Gold Fields' total production of 2.15million ounces. The company is considering selling smaller operations, including the Cerro Corona mine in Peru and Damang in Chile. These are being sold to focus on the newly-commissioned Salares Norte project in Canada and the recently-commissioned Salares Norte in Chile. Reporting by Christian Akorlie, Maxwell Akalaare Adombila; Writing by Sofia Christensen and Editing by Kirsten Doovan
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World Bank's Banga is unsure about US aid for funding poor nations, even though Trump's dialogue was 'constructive.'
Ajay Banaga, the World Bank president, said that he had constructive discussions with the Trump Administration about the development lender. However he didn't know how much money the U.S. was going to contribute to the World Bank's fund which is for the poorest countries in the world. Banga told reporters if European countries reduced their pledged funding and the U.S. did not fulfill the $4 billion International Development Association pledge made by former president Joe Biden’s administration last summer, the $100 billion IDA funding round could be cut to $80 or $85 billion. This would be roughly equal to the $82 billion pledged for IDA support in 2019, but lower than the $93 billion replenishment expected in 2021. "We are having a constructive dialog with the U.S. Administration." Banga told reporters a week before the World Bank and International Monetary Fund's spring meetings in Washington that he didn't know how it would end but had no problems with the dialogue he was having. He added, "They ask the right questions and we are trying to give the right answers." CLIMATE STRATEGY ADAPTION When asked if he still supported the World Bank's goal of devoting at least 45% of annual funding to climate-related project by this year, Banga responded that many of the projects that will be included in the target are merely "smart developments" with climate benefits. He said that half of the funding would be used to help countries adapt and resiliency. Banga explained that the roof of a school was painted white, instead of red. This made it cooler in there. It's a heat-resistant variety of seeds and drip irrigation. Or a school which won't be swept away by a hurricane or a road which will not be washed out in a rainstorm. "Those are the things that are important in development." Banga stated that only a small portion of the total bank financing would be allocated to energy projects. Banga stated that the World Bank board will be considering an "all-of-the above" energy plan in June, "which includes not only renewable energy but also a transition strategy for everyone". He said that the World Bank would continue to finance energy projects using "gas, geothermal and hydroelectric power, solar, wind, and nuclear when it makes sense." This is the strategy that we will discuss with our board. Banga also highlighted the World Bank's reforms since he assumed the presidency in June 2023. These include making the lender more efficient and faster, as well as focusing on better development outcomes instead of financing dollars. Banga stated that by 2024, "nearly half of the public sector funding will be performance-based and linked to results. This is up from just 28% 10 years ago." Banga stated that the bank would make progress in its efforts to attract private sector funding to development projects and emerging market. (Reporting and editing by Mark Heinrich; Andrea Shalal and David Lawder)
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Sources say that the top Turkish refiner Tupras has resumed buying Urals crude from Russia.
According to three trading sources, and shipping data, Turkey's biggest oil refiner Tupras is now buying Russian Urals crude after stopping earlier this year because of stronger U.S. Sanctions against Moscow. Tupras didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Three sources confirmed that Tupras had resumed purchases following the price of Urals crude falling to its lowest level since 2023 earlier this month. The price was comfortably below the $60 per barrel G7 cap. The price cap imposed on Russian oil by the Group of Seven, the European Union, and Australia prohibits the use of Western services like insurance, flagging, and transportation, when the Russian oil is priced at or over $60 per barrel. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions since October on several tankers suspected of violating the price cap. Tupras was one of the largest importers of Russian crude oil after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. According to data from Turkey’s energy regulator, Russian oil represented 65% of Turkey's total imports of oil in January-November of 2024. In February, the company stopped buying Russian crude oil due to growing concerns about U.S. sanctions after the comprehensive package announced on January 10th. Trading sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that Tupras is expected to receive at least 2 cargoes of Urals in April. Tracking data indicates that one of the cargoes has already been loaded. Kpler, a global provider of real-time analytics and data, showed that the Nissos Christiana had loaded approximately 730,000 barrels (or a little over a million gallons) of Russian Urals oil from Ust-Luga in the Baltic on April 3. It is for delivery to Izmit on April 21, where Tupras operates a 225,800-barrel-per-day capacity oil refinery, the data showed. It was unclear if another vessel had been booked for Tupras to purchase additional cargo. According to LSEG, Tupras has two refineries in Izmit, and Izmir. These refineries have a combined capacity of 467.300 bpd for crude oil processing. Tupras, which had stopped purchasing Russian crude oil, began looking at alternative grades of crude oil, and made its first purchase last month of Brazilian crude. According to Kpler, other sources of crude imports for Tupras in March and April include Guyana (also Nigeria), Libya, and Norway.
TASS cites the head of Russia's central bank as saying that a fall in oil prices is a risk to the economy.
Elvira Nabibullina, governor of the Russian central bank, was quoted by the state news agency TASS as saying that the sharp drop in oil prices caused by Donald Trump's tariffs is a threat to the Russian economy.
She was quoted saying that she was analyzing the fallout with the central bank, but that a technical rule for budgeting would help to smoothen the effects on the budget.
Brent and WTI prices had fallen by 14% and 15 % respectively on Monday following Trump's announcement of "reciprocal duties" on all imported goods.
"You're absolutely right, the main influence could be via changes in oil price. Specifically a reduction in oil price," Nabiullina told members of the Russian lower chamber of parliament.
She said that if tariff wars continue to escalate, they will lead to a decrease in global trade and the global economy. They may even reduce the demand for energy.
Last week, the central bank stated that U.S. Tariff hikes could slow global economic growth and fuel inflation. Oil prices may also be lower than expected for several years due to reduced demand globally.
The central bank predicts that the average price of oil will be $60 per barrel by 2026 and $65 per barrel in 2025. The central bank's board will review the forecasts on April 25, 2019. Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya; writing by Gleb Brianski; editing by Andrew Osborn
(source: Reuters)