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  [SMM Chrome Weekly Review] Ferrochrome market sees improved transactions, chrome ore market operates steadily

  [SMM Chrome Weekly Review: Ferrochrome Market Sees Improved Transactions, Chrome Ore Market Runs Steadily] On August 8, 2025: Today, the ex-factory price of high-carbon ferrochrome in Inner Mongolia region is 7,850-8,000 yuan/mt (50% metal content), unchanged MoM...

• Downstream procurement enthusiasm is insufficient, and domestic inventory continues to increase [SMM Weekly Review of Spot Zinc Ingot Inventory]

  [Downstream purchasing enthusiasm remains low, domestic inventory continues to increase] According to communication with SMM, as of Thursday (August 7), the total inventory of zinc ingots in seven locations tracked by SMM was 113,200 mt, an increase of 10,000 mt from July 31 and an increase of 5,900 mt from August 4, with domestic inventory increasing...

• The characteristics of the off-season in consumption remained evident, with a slight decline in the operating rate of zinc oxide production this week [SMM Weekly Review of Zinc Oxide]

  [Off-season characteristics remain evident, with zinc oxide operating rates slightly declining this week] This week, the operating rate of zinc oxide enterprises was recorded at 55.68%, down 0.45% WoW. On the raw material side, due to the current end-use demand still being in the off-season and the difficulty in purchasing some raw materials at higher prices, enterprises mostly made just-in-time procurement of raw materials. The inventory remained basically unchanged from last week, with no significant changes observed. On the finished product inventories side, affected by prices, some zinc oxide enterprises experienced a slight inventory buildup of finished products, with an increase in finished product inventories...

• Production resumption by enterprises coupled with improved shipments led to a slight increase in the operating rates of die-casting zinc alloy producers [SMM Weekly Review of Die-casting Zinc Alloy]

  [Production Resumptions and Improved Shipments Lead to a Slight Increase in Operating Rates of Die-Casting Zinc Alloy Enterprises] This week, the operating rate of die-casting zinc alloy enterprises reached 48.42%, up 0.19 percentage points MoM. On the raw material side, affected by the continuous rise in zinc prices this week, enterprises faced increased procurement pressure, leading to a slight decrease in raw material inventories compared to last week. On the finished product inventory side, the lower center of zinc prices at the beginning of the week prompted end-users to conduct a small amount of restocking, and the outflows from warehouses of die-casting zinc alloy enterprises improved. However, as prices rose, enterprises faced difficulties in sales, resulting in a slight increase in finished product inventories MoM this week...

• It is difficult to increase the output of tungsten concentrate. In the short term, the tungsten market will consolidate at a high level supported by the cost side [SMM Tungsten Review]

  [SMM Tungsten Daily Review: Tungsten Concentrate Supply Increase Challenging, Tungsten Market Consolidates at High Levels Supported by Cost Side in Short Term] This week, the tungsten market maintained a high-level consolidation. The circulation of tungsten concentrate in the market was tight. Major mines in Jiangxi Province mostly shipped under long-term contracts. Mines in southern and south-west China experienced a seasonal decline in mining activities due to weather impacts, and suppliers offered firm quotes. Ammonium paratungstate (APT) enterprises negotiated prices on a case-by-case basis, with spot orders being scarce and market volume significantly reduced. During the week, major domestic tungsten enterprises successively released long-term contract information, showing a significant increase in long-term contract prices compared to July, boosting market confidence. Downstream cemented carbide enterprises followed the price increase passively, but the increase was limited.