This morning in metals news: U.S. steel prices have made significant gains in recent weeks; exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from two key Louisiana export terminals have resumed after Hurricane Laura; the coronavirus pandemic has impacted tin production in Bolivia.
U.S. steel prices rise
U.S. steel prices have posted significant gains of late. HRC, for example, closed Wednesday at $589 per short ton, up 17.33% month over month.
Meanwhile, the CRC price closed Wednesday at $775 per short ton, up 15.5% month over month.
Finally, U.S. HDG closed Wednesday at $850 per short ton, up 12.73% month over month.
LNG exports resume from terminals hit by Hurricane Laura
Among other impacts, Hurricane Laura disrupted activities at two LNG export terminals in Louisiana.
However, on the heels of the hurricane, the Sabine Pass terminal resumed exports Sept. 11, per the Energy Information Administration. Sabine Pass is the largest LNG export facility in the U.S.
However, the resumption of activity at Cameron terminal did not occur until Oct. 5 due to persisting infrastructural damage at the facility.
Furthermore, the next hurricane on the way could lead to further damage.
“Currently, Hurricane Delta, a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Friday, October 9,” the EIA reported. “Depending on the path of Hurricane Delta, Cameron and Sabine Pass may take precautionary measures and temporarily suspend operations as they did before Hurricane Laura.”
Tin output in Bolivia
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted tin production in Bolivia, the International Tin Association (ITA) reported this week.
Tin concentrate production in the first quarter of the year fell 30% year over year.
In addition, coronavirus-related closures prevented production 2,600 tonnes of refined ton in Q2, the ITA estimated.