The Indonesian government is launching a new drive to attract investment into its downstream copper sector, aiming to transform the nation from a primary processor into a manufacturer of high-value, secondary products for the global electronics and electric vehicle industries. An official from the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming confirmed that the government is preparing...
READ MORESolus Advanced Materials, a South Korean copper foil manufacturer operating Europe’s only battery-grade copper foil production facility, and CATL, China’s largest battery manufacturer with 40% global market share, have entered a supply agreement for copper foil deliveries to CATL’s European battery manufacturing operations. The partnership will see Solus supplying copper foil produced at its Hungarian...
READ MOREBHP Group, the world’s largest mining company and biggest iron ore producer, and Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational and the world’s second-largest mining company, have experienced share price pressure despite projections of massive demand increases for critical minerals. The International Energy Agency forecasts copper demand will increase 50%, nickel demand will more than double, and...
READ MOREGlencore withdrew approximately 15,000 tonnes of Russian copper from London Metal Exchange warehouses in Rotterdam over three trading sessions, planning to deliver the metal to China amid severe supply tightness in the world’s largest copper market. The withdrawals pushed LME copper inventories to their lowest level in a year, highlighting the growing desperation among traders...
READ MOREKAZ Minerals reported a decrease in copper production in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The Kazakhstan-based producer attributed the decline primarily to lower ore grades across its operations, though output remained slightly above the level produced in the previous quarter. The company experienced reduced by-product volumes due to...
READ MOREGerman copper producer Aurubis recorded a net profit of 76 million euros ($83.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 28% decline from the same period last year. The company attributed the profit reduction to higher energy costs and decreased remuneration payments from mining partners for smelting and refining services. Despite profitability challenges,...
READ MOREMopani Copper Mines (MCM) is advancing underground infrastructure projects aimed at unlocking 8.5 million tonnes of copper ore over the next four to five years, as part of efforts to significantly raise copper cathode production. CEO Charles Sakanya stated that the company’s goal is to double cathode output to more than 500,000 tonnes within 10...
READ MORECodelco, the world’s largest copper producer, has partnered with engineering platform ennomotive to launch a global innovation challenge aimed at eliminating mineral dust emissions during transport. The initiative seeks practical, scalable solutions for agglomerating fine mineral dust generated during mining and handling, with the goal of achieving emissions-free transport and enabling the reuse of dust...
READ MOREThe global refined copper market recorded a surplus of 289,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, a slight increase from 287,000 tonnes in the same period last year, according to the International Copper Study Group. Refined copper production worldwide rose by just over 3% year-on-year to 7.1 million tonnes between January and March, while...
READ MOREThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that global copper demand, driven by the transition to low-carbon energy systems, will outpace supply by as much as 30% by 2035 if new investments and projects do not materialize. The agency’s latest Global Critical Minerals Outlook highlights that copper—a metal essential for electrical grids, renewable energy, and...
READ MOREIndia’s government is preparing to defend its recent restrictions on copper cathode imports, arguing that there is adequate domestic supply and a sufficient number of certified suppliers, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The dispute stems from a petition filed with the Bombay High Court by the Bombay Metal Exchange and the Bombay...
READ MOREBHP and Lundin Mining Agree to Jointly Acquire Filo Corp., Establish Copper Joint Venture in Vicuña DistrictBHP and Lundin Mining Corporation have agreed to jointly acquire 100% of the Toronto-listed Filo Corp., which wholly owns the Filo del Sol copper project in the Vicuña district, spanning Argentina and Chile. The companies will subsequently form a...
READ MORESumitomo Metal Mining has outlined its expectations for the global nickel and copper markets in its 2027 three-year business plan, forecasting continued surpluses in both metals through at least 2026. The company anticipates a nickel market surplus of around 200,000 tons annually in both 2025 and 2026, driven primarily by ongoing production growth in China...
READ MOREGlobal copper production overview The global copper industry continues to expand, driven by accelerating demand from energy transition technologies, electric vehicles, and infrastructure projects. In 2024, global copper production reached approximately 22.8 million metric tons, with significant contributions from Chile, Peru, China, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chile remains the leading producer, accounting for...
READ MORERio Tinto has signed a final joint venture agreement with Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) for the development of the Winu copper and gold project in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. The deal gives SMM a 30% stake in the project for up to $430.4 million. Under the terms, SMM will pay $195 million...
READ MOREChina imported nearly 3 million tonnes of copper ore and concentrate in April, setting a monthly record as smelters in the country struggle with tight feedstock supply and collapsing treatment charges. The surge in imports is expected to alleviate some pressure in the domestic market, where a growing number of smelters have been operating with...
READ MOREA looming global copper shortage could undermine the world’s efforts to expand clean energy and digital infrastructure, according to a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The agency describes copper as “the new strategic raw material” essential for technologies ranging from electric vehicles and solar panels to AI infrastructure...
READ MOREChile’s state-owned copper producer Codelco increased its copper output by 22% in April 2025 compared to the same month last year, reaching an estimated 105,000 metric tons. Chairman Maximo Pacheco announced the figures at the company’s annual shareholders meeting, noting that the world’s largest copper miner is recovering from a 25-year production low and is...
READ MOREThe Trump administration has moved to expedite federal permitting for U.S. mining projects, adding Resolution Copper in Arizona and several others to the Federal Permitting Dashboard as part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic mineral supply chains. The dashboard, managed under the FAST-41 initiative, is designed to increase transparency and accountability in the permitting...
READ MOREThe global copper market is forecast to see a widening surplus over the next two years, with the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) projecting an excess of 289,000 tonnes in 2025 and 209,000 tonnes in 2026. This marks a notable increase from the group’s earlier estimate of a 194,000-tonne surplus for 2025, reflecting stronger-than-expected supply...
READ MOREZambia’s copper sector posted a robust start to 2025, with production rising about 30% year-on-year in the first quarter, according to Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe. Output reached approximately 224,000 metric tons between January and March, up from around 173,000 metric tons during the same period in 2024. The increase was largely attributed to higher production...
READ MOREGlencore reported a sharp decline in copper production for the first quarter of 2025, with output falling 30% year-on-year to 167,900 metric tons. The company attributed the drop to lower ore mining rates, head grades, and recoveries at key operations in Chile, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the weak start, Glencore expects...
READ MOREFreeport reported a net income of $352 million for the first quarter of 2025, with adjusted net income reaching $358 million. Copper production totaled 868 million pounds, gold production 287 thousand ounces, and molybdenum production 23 million pounds. Copper sales volumes surpassed January 2025 guidance, while gold sales were lower due to shipment timing. The...
READ MORECopper has dominated commodity headlines in 2025, with prices swinging sharply amid global trade tensions and major new investments. After hitting a record high above $5.20 per pound in March, copper futures tumbled to a three-month low of $4.03 in April, driven by traders hedging ahead of tariff hikes and then unwinding positions as the...
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