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Roskill Information Services is one of the world's leading providers of information on international metals and minerals markets.

Our market reports are widely regarded as essential reading for anyone who wants to gain a thorough knowledge of the supply, demand, end-use applications, trade and prices of over 50 metals and minerals, as well as informed forecasts of future trends.

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New Reports

Nickel
The devastating financial crisis that affected the world in 2008/9 has had a wide-ranging impact. As with most commodities, participants in the nickel industry have had to make adjustments. Producers have been forced to make severe cuts to output, while stocks at LME warehouses have been rising steadily. China has proved the exception, with both demand and production rising. Ever increasing demand from emerging markets, coupled with a return to positive growth in the developed world should ...

Gypsum
Demand for gypsum is closely linked to general economic activity due to its use in construction in plasterboard, plasters and cement. Overall, world consumption of gypsum dropped 4% between 2006 and 2008, a total reduction of 8Mt, as a result of the global financial crisis and associated recession. Plasterboard and cement production are expected to take at least 2-3 years to regain the 2006 peak levels, but full economic recovery will see growth rates of between 4 and 7%py for cement and plast...

Tantalum
There are mounting fears in the tantalum market that serious shortages are looming. Weak demand in consuming industries, particularly capacitors, coupled with large inventories in the supply chain, has kept tantalum prices low. Primary output has been slashed and processors are increasingly relying on stock drawdowns to make up the shortfall. If there is even a modest recovery in demand for tantalum in the near future, the market faces a difficult period.A key issue is the continuing supply...

Natural Graphite
Over the last decade, the development of thermal and chemical processes to produce high-purity natural graphite has enabled a more effective use of graphite resources, as lower grade ores and fines can be transformed into grades suitable for use in demanding applications such as batteries. Markets previously lost to synthetic graphite, such as batteries and carbon parts now offer opportunities for growth....

Chromium
The impact of the downturn on the global economy, starting in mid 2008, had a marked impact on the chromium market, as both prices and demand plummeted. In March 2009, European importers paid around US?86/lb for South African ferro-chrome, some 60% lower than prices (US?213/lb) paid in September 2008. Demand for chromium over this period has fallen sharply, as demand for stainless steel, the primary end-use for chromium, has collapsed. However, the predicted negative outlook for the chromium...