CUSTOMS: China imported 42.728 mln tonnes of coal and lignite in July, down from 42.779 mln tonnes in June.

Aug 7 — Market reports said the Democratic Republic of Congo issued an administrative order banning exports of copper and cobalt concentrates. Zijin Mining said its Kolwezi unit produces crude and electrolytic (cathode) copper and Kamoa-Kakula produces anode plates and crude copper, which are not covered by the reported ban. Separately, Hanrui Cobalt said the DRC had previously tightened concentrate exports and that the measures do not affect the company; its Congo copper is electrolytic copper processed and sold locally, and any ban that lifts copper prices would likely benefit its product realizations. Hanrui added its cobalt is initially processed into cobalt hydroxide before shipment to China.

Virginia governor says she will formally intervene in Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger.