Regular followers of this blog and its derived Twitter feed (@metalsinsider) may have noticed a reduced number of updates and a narrower range of articles in recent weeks. The simplest explanation for this is that the copywriting day-job (the one that pays the bills, that is) has been busier of late.

Having to prioritise focuses the mind and while there is satisfaction in the knowledge that the blog is useful for many metals colleagues, and gratification in watching the growing rate of clickthroughs, something has to give. As such, less time is now devoted trying to unearth hidden nuggets from the nooks and crannies of the internet, with more emphasis on must-reads and my favourite area, jobs and people. We are, after all, all keen to know who’s hiring and where the opportunities are, particularly in these testing times for commodities folks everywhere.

A faraway holiday looms here, during which I will be reflecting on some sad losses we have suffered in LME circles recently, namely my former colleagues, Malcolm Culley and Tony Lucas. I will also be thinking of Michael Morrice and his battle with cancer, in the hope that his final months may be as painless as possible.

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Why Aluminum Is a Big Headache for Top Commodity Traders

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Nitrogen dioxide leak at Copper Cliff smelter contained

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JOBS: Commodity Lead Analyst, MineLens, McKinsey Solutions

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JOBS: Junior LME Clearing and Settlement Assistant, London

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COLUMN-Why tiny tin stands out in the commodities rout: Andy Home

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JOBS: LME Traffic/Hedging, Switzerland

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LME Q2 profit doubles as trading fee hike pays out

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With Yuan Devaluation, China Digs a Hole for Commodities – WSJ.

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METALS-Aluminium hits six-year low as China devalues yuan

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Aluminium: Meltdown fears – FT.com.

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JOBS: Senior Base Metals Operations, Essen, Germany

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Gunvor Expands Metals Trading With Trio

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COLUMN-The hand that gently rocks the LME copper spreads: Andy Home

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JOBS: Execution Trader, Castleton Commodities, Geneva #jobs #metals #bulk #commodities

JOBS: Execution Trader,  Castleton Commodities, Geneva

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Indonesian trade minister signs off on Freeport copper export deal

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Rise in CME iron ore volume heats competition with Asia bourses

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Fitch: Low Latam Copper Production Costs Shield to Lower Prices

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COLUMN-Minding the gaps in the copper cost curve: Andy Home

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JOBS: Steel Trading Manager – Tokyo, Japan

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SRB REVEALED: The story of China’s most notorious copper trader, Liu Qibing

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Policies fail to lift Chinese rare earths prices

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Commodities supercycle’s end is nigh – FT Markets

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Wells Fargo Starts Commodities Hedge Fund Amid Slump in Prices

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New aluminum suppliers find opportunity to enter Japan market amid dim price outlook

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Molybdenum: Minor Metal Is Major Mistake for Investors – WSJ.

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Zambia’s H1 copper output rises 2.1 pct

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Australia’s Mincor slashes nickel output amid prices near 6-yr lows

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Zinc market could be facing concentrate supply deficit: Investec

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Here come the cuts – China cutting aluminium output

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Copper concentrate, scrap in short supply in China due to low prices

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LME Clear launches new renminbi initiative.

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JOBS: Business Development – Metal Recycling, London/SE, UK

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JOBS: Precious Metals Settlements Analyst, London

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Century Aluminum to shut down Ravenswood smelter immediately

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COLUMN-Chinese steel juggernaut slows but not fast enough: Andy Home.

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Aurubis: Copper Mail, July 2015 

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Chile copper union vows to intensify strike after miner shot dead

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Recommended long read: China’s Un-Separation of Powers The Blurred Lines of Party and Government; The Blurring Role of Party and Government

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Gold: Flight from safety – FT.com.

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