Industry
Metals
Stelco loses $88M as prices fall and upgrade project stifles shipments
They fell over the summer as the company upgraded its blast furnace.
Mining metals needed for electrification faces low price obstacle
More than $1 trillion of investment needed in key aluminum, cobalt, copper, nickel and lithium over the next 15 years.
Russel Metals earns $18M in Q3, despite sales decline
Costs were cut, BC real estate sold line pipe inventory offloaded as business gradually recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump proclamation exempts Canadian aluminum from tariffs
… but he reserves the right to reimpose the 10% levies on national security grounds if exports spike again.
Locweld awarded $50M contract for steel transmission towers
Destined for Hydro-Québec’s new 735 kV Micoua-Saguenay line.
US companies seeking tariff relief faced red tape, delays
Commerce Department was overwhelmed by companies lobbying to avoid the tariffs, could not meet its own deadline.
US abruptly lifts tariff aimed at Canadian alumunium
…but they’re still on the table, as are threatened Canadian countermeasures.
E2Metrix technology gets $4.5M boost from Natural Resources Canada
Ecothor will help clean out contaminants and solids, recycle mining wastewater.
Rio Tinto CEO loses $3.5M over destroyed indigenous sites
Follows the destruction in May of two 46,000-year-old rock shelters in Juukan George in Western Australia state.
$5M from feds to ensure better traceability of aluminum
Follows 10% tariff slapped on Canadian aluminum by the Trump administration.
58% of Americans oppose Trump tariff on Canadian aluminum: survey
Polling firm Leger says numbers reflect a lack of a clear rationale for the action by the mercurial US president.
Feds invest $98M for the minerals and metals sector
The feds are supporting the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals program and the Targeted Geoscience Initiative
PM to Trump: Return of NA economy will negate need for tariffs
He said Canada’s aluminum smelters would soon be back producing value-added specialty products for the American auto sector.
Canada’s response on tariffs won’t be bound by USMCA: negotiator
Trade negotiator Steve Verheul says what actions Canada takes depends on what the US does.
Feds to push back against any new US tariffs on aluminum: Duclos
Bloomberg says the Trump administration plans to impose a 10% tariff on imports from Canada.
Stelco reports Q4 loss on challenging market conditions, steel price drop
Average steel selling price for the quarter was down 28% compared with last year.
Samuel acquires 100% of additive maker Burloak Technologies
Metals and industrial products manufacturer acquired its Burloak minority stake in 2017.
Feds invest in digital tracing for steel supply chain
Funding for two firms will support a proof of concept for a using blockchain and artificial intelligence.
US confirms fabricated steel from Canada dumped, but not subsidized
Investigation is over, no countervailing duties will be collected but injuries to be assessed.
Future Aluminum Forum Industry 4.0
The focus is on Industry 4.0 and what’s happening…
Semafo mine in Burkina Faso won’t reopen this year following attack
Company says it continues to support victims and their families as it works on a plan for the future.
Stelco makes no net profit in Q3 as revenues drop 23%
Revenues were $475 million, down from $619 million in the third quarter of 2018.
Glencore to close Brunswick lead smelter, 420 jobs lost
Losing money since the 2013 closure of the nearby Brunswick Mine, which produced zinc and lead.
China’s Jingye comes to the rescue of British Steel
Rescue deal potentially protects some 4,000 jobs and safeguards a strategic asset as Britain prepares to leave the EU.
BC should demand miners pay cleanup costs up front: Study
Rules review to ensure taxpayers aren’t stuck with the costs of cleaning up or caring for abandoned mines.
Why Trump tariffs haven’t revitalized American steelmakers
Raised costs for steel users and has done little to blunt China’s dominance of global steel production.
US dismisses trade beef against two Quebec steel makers
…but will determined pricing of fabricated steel from China and Mexico to be unfair, tariffs levied.
Heico gets $18M federal funding to diversify product mix
Company is investing $50.7 million in three facilities, creating 86 jobs.
Stelco Holdings Q2 revenue down on lower prices, market challenges
Steelmaker cites destocking, falling market prices and the 232 tariffs imposed by the US.
Chinese billionaire indicted in US aluminum import scheme
Charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and international money laundering.
Sheet metal processor gets $365,000 CED funding for productivity
Repayable loan will be used to purchase and install digitally controlled production equipment.
Alberta government looking to speed up job accreditation for foreign workers
Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia already have similar laws.
