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2024 outlook

Metals and mining: predictions for 2024

Watch for technology milestones, broadening regulation and a fervent focus on costs in the metals and mining sector in the year ahead. How will companies respond? And how will the picture vary for different commodities? Our experts share their predictions for the coming year.

In this series of complimentary reports:

  • Corporate metals and mining: 5 things to look for in 2024
  • Steel
  • Rare earths
  • Copper
  • And much more.

1 minute read

Despite inauspicious beginnings, there is a sense of promise about 2024. We should see the end of a tightening monetary cycle that has undermined demand across metals and mining markets, and improved growth in developed economies that performed poorly in 2023. But margins will stay under pressure and an array of social, political and environmental factors will keep markets on their toes. Expect to see the return of a concerted focus on costs across the sector.   

This should also be a year of progress and clarity for longer-term market drivers. Milestones in low carbon haulage, alternative battery technology and options for steel value chain decarbonisation are all eagerly awaited. It will also be a year of tightening regulation with growing direct costs for emitters, and greater reporting responsibilities for both suppliers and buyers.

Metals and mining: things to look for in 2024 explores our take on the themes that will resonate in 2024, including:

  • Economies: signs of hope but we’ll have to wait
  • Markets: outlook forcing a focus on costs
  • Geopolitics: can we counter the rising temperature?
  • Carbon costs: fewer places to hide

Fill in the form at the top of the page for your complimentary copy.

Also available in this complimentary series:

  • Opinion

    Aluminium

    A volatile year ahead for the aluminium market.

    Get the report Aluminium
  • Opinion

    Cathode & precursor

    The energy transition has sparked a new age of global competition for the lithium-ion battery market.

    Get the report Cathode & precursor
  • Opinion

    Cobalt

    With no quick fix to the oversupply situation, the ‘cobalt blues’ continues into 2024. But it's not all doom and gloom.

    Get the report Cobalt
  • Opinion

    Copper

    The pace of capacity expansions on both the supply and demand side will be key for copper in 2024.

    Get the report Copper
  • Opinion

    Graphite

    China’s influence on graphite supply chains will remain at the core of industry trends in 2024.

    Get the report Graphite
  • Opinion

    Iron ore

    The global iron ore markets will continue to witness fluctuating growth trends in 2024.

    Get the report Iron ore
  • Opinion

    Steel alloys

    Five major themes that will shape the steel alloy market in 2024.

    Get the report Steel alloys
  • Opinion

    Steel

    2024 will flip the script for steel. Anticipated demand recovery is on the horizon for most regions.

    Get the report Steel
  • Opinion

    Lead

    Opportunities as well as threats will be highlighted in 2024

    Get the report Lead
  • Opinion

    Lithium

    While lithium demand remains the posterchild for battery raw material requirements, its growth rate is slowing with a maturing market.

    Get the report Lithium
  • Opinion

    Metallurgical coal

    The past year has been a volatile one for the metallurgical coal markets - what will 2024 bring?

    Get the report Metallurgical coal
  • Opinion

    Rare earths

    Decarbonisation of key sectors, such as transport, and increasing renewable energy generation is driving demand for rare earth permanent magnets.

    Get the report Rare earths
  • Opinion

    Nickel

    Politics and margins will disrupt both nickel and stainless supply this year.

    Get the report Nickel
  • Opinion

    Thermal coal

    Geopolitical strains, economic ambiguity, inflated costs and mounting climate issues could all have significant impact this year.

    Get the report Thermal coal
  • Opinion

    Zinc

    Lower zinc prices, premiums and treatment charges mean 2024 will be another challenging year for the world’s zinc producers.

    Get the report Zinc