Metals Power Higher as Sickly Dollar Spurs Copper-to-Gold Rally

Metals Power Higher as Sickly Dollar Spurs Copper-to-Gold Rally

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Copper jumped by the most in two months and zinc hit a fresh decade-high as base metals rallied on a potent combination of a softer dollar, dwindling inventories and continued robust outlook for demand. Palladium rallied to a new record as all precious metals climbed. Copper surged as much as 2.1 percent, the most since Nov. 13, to $7,262 a metric ton on the London Metal Exchange. All metals climbed as the Bloomberg…

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Congo Halts Sicomines Copper Exports, Orders Local Refining

Congo Halts Sicomines Copper Exports, Orders Local Refining

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – The Democratic Republic of Congo ordered Sinohydro Corporation and China Railway Construction Corp.’s local mining venture to stop exporting unprocessed copper and cobalt and refine all its metals within the country.  Sicomines must ship “only high-value products” as the government looks to “ensure the prompt repayment” of the country’s continuing $6 billion minerals-for-infrastructure deal with China, Mines Minister Martin Kabwelulu said October 2 in response to questions sent by text message….

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Zambia’s economy to grow 4.3 percent, copper output easing slightly in 2017

Zambia’s economy to grow 4.3 percent, copper output easing slightly in 2017

LUSAKA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Zambia’s economy will grow 4.3 percent this year and 5.1 percent in 2018, boosted by improved agriculture and mining output and a recovery in electricity generation, the central bank reported. “There has been strengthening confidence in Zambia’s medium to long-term economic prospects as reflected by the participation of non-resident investors in the Government securities markets,” the Bank of Zambia hinted in a report surveying the first half of 2017….

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Copper Trumps Politics as Investors Take Shine to Zambian Assets

Copper Trumps Politics as Investors Take Shine to Zambian Assets

LUSAKA (Capital Markets in Africa) Investors are overlooking Zambia’s political risk and buying the nation’s assets as the price of copper, its biggest export, rises. The yield on Zambia’s $1 billion Eurobonds due April 2024 have fallen 135 basis points this year to 7.55 percent on Wednesday. The southern African nation’s currency has appreciated 12 percent against the dollar in 2017, making the kwacha the continent’s best performer after Mozambique’s metical. Copper prices are at…

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