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Copper

Copper is a reddish-brown metallic element and industrial commodity widely used in electrical wiring, construction, electronics and renewable energy infrastructure. The metal is prized for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, malleability and antimicrobial properties. Copper is traded globally on exchanges including the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange, with prices serving as a barometer for global economic health. Major copper-producing countries include Chile, Peru, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States, with mining operations ranging from large open-pit operations to underground mines. The metal is typically extracted from sulphide and oxide ores, then refined through smelting and electrolytic processes to achieve purities of 99.99%. Demand for copper has grown substantially with the global energy transition, as electric vehicles require about four times more copper than conventional vehicles and renewable energy systems are copper-intensive. The metal is also essential in telecommunications infrastructure, plumbing systems, industrial machinery and consumer electronics. Copper is fully recyclable without loss of quality, and recycled copper accounts for a significant portion of global supply. The industry faces challenges including declining ore grades, rising production costs, permitting delays for new projects and community opposition in some jurisdictions. Copper has been used by human civilisations for more than 10 000 years, with the Bronze Age marking a pivotal period in its application.

Copper Updates


A generic image of a mine plant
Jubilee’s Roan concentrator returns to full capacity following maintenance shutdown
Updated 1 hour 59 minutes ago By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The yearly maintenance shutdown at Jubilee’s Roan concentrator operations, in Ndola, Zambia, was completed in May, with operations successfully resuming at full capacity and with a run-of-mine... 


Copper 360 appoints new director; Bouwer named lead independent director
Updated 2 hours ago By: Creamer Media Reporter

South African copper miner Copper 360 has appointed Malande Tonjeni as an independent nonexecutive director with effect from June 3, while existing director Beverly Bouwer has been appointed lead... 


Wood Mackenzie head of copper research Charles Cooper
Grid investment emerging as biggest driver of future copper demand, says analyst
Updated 2 hours 6 minutes ago By: Mariaan Webb

Investment in electricity grids is set to become the single most important driver of copper demand over the coming decades, underpinning growth from renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs) and... 


Vedanta's Gamsberg zinc mine
Vedanta confirms no penalties imposed from searches by Indian financial crime-fighting agency
Updated 2 hours 10 minutes ago By: Reuters

India's financial crime-fighting agency has not imposed any penalty or restriction following searches conducted at Vedanta's premises, the company said on Thursday. The Economic Times reported on... 


A shear zone at BWA Group's Aracari project, in Cameroon
Canadian, Cameroon mining investor BWA Group appoints new CEO
Updated 3 hours ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

UK-listed mining investment company BWA Group has promoted nonexecutive director Peter Taylor as CEO effective June 1. Taylor has been a nonexecutive director of BWA Group since August 2024,... 


Copperwood project area
Highland Copper identifies multiple optimisation opportunities at Copperwood ahead of updated feasibility
Updated 4 hours ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

While TSX-V-listed Highland Copper Company undertakes ongoing studies towards an updated feasibility study on the Copperwood project, in Michigan, the company is evaluating lower cut-off grades to... 


Codelco's El Teniente mine
Chile's Codelco copper giant names Jorge Gomez as new CEO
Updated 4 hours ago By: Reuters

Chile's embattled State copper giant Codelco named Jorge Gomez as its new CEO on Wednesday as the company continues to deal with fallout following a scandal over inflated production figures. In a... 


 	Wood Mackenzie Head of Copper Research, Charles Cooper
Copper Demand in an Electrifying and Digitising World
Updated 7 hours ago

Investment in electricity grids is set to become the single most important driver of copper demand over the coming decades, underpinning growth from renewable energy, electric vehicles and... 


Absa Corporate and Investment Banking coverage head for resources and energy, Shirley Webber
Developing the Next Generation of Supply
Updated 7 hours ago

The global copper market is expected to remain in deficit as growing demand from the energy transition collides with the realities of bringing new supply to market. 


Gaylor Montmasson-Clair Founding director Southern Transitions
Geopolitics and the Energy Transition
Updated 7 hours ago

The intensifying competition among China, the US and other major powers to secure future copper supplies is creating an opportunity for African producer countries to capture greater value from the... 


BMO Capital Markets managing director and commodities analyst Helen Amos
Portfolio Diversification – Why Copper, Why Now?
Updated 7 hours ago

Mining companies are increasingly reshaping their portfolios around copper as investors place a premium on exposure to the metal, driving a wave of acquisitions, asset reviews and strategic... 


Harmony Gold Mining Company Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Beyers Nel
Beyers Nel on Harmony Gold’s Copper Future
4th June 2026

South Africa-headquartered Harmony Gold Mining Company expects copper to account for 40% of its production within the next decade as it grows its exposure to the metal alongside its core gold... 


Raw copper produced in Zambia
Zambia extends duty-free copper concentrate export duty waiver amid smelter outages
3rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Zambia has extended the suspension of a 10% duty on copper concentrate exports to September 30, to help clear stockpiles of unprocessed material as the country's major smelters undergo extended... 


Truck with copper ore in Zambia
Vedanta spin-off CopperTech yet to announce IPO value on NYSE
3rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The NYSE will soon welcome its newest mining company, in integrated copper and cobalt producer CopperTech Metals, with the company having filed a registration statement with the US Securities and... 


Troilus project site
Troilus granted 70 MW power allocation in Québec to develop copper, gold mine
3rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-listed Troilus Mining Corporation (TMC) has secured approval from Québec authorities, Hydro-Québec and its Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation, for its planned 70 MW power allocation to... 


ECA Southern Africa regional director Eunice Kamwendo
UN ECA launches large-scale project to strengthen SADC critical minerals value chains
3rd June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched a €15-million regional project to strengthen environmentally and socially responsible critical minerals value chains across the Southern... 


The Rietberg copper mine
Copper 360 reports improved underlying financial, operational performance
2nd June 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Northern Cape-focused copper company Copper 360 says the financial year ended February 28 was a "significant" turning point for the company as its management focused on stabilising the balance... 


The Nchanga copper smelter
Vedanta's Zambian unit shuts copper smelter for maintenance
2nd June 2026 By: Reuters

LUSAKA – Vedanta's Konkola Copper Mines has started a 60-day shutdown of its Nchanga smelter in Zambia for maintenance and repairs, it said on Tuesday. KCM said the repairs and maintenance are... 


Mineralisation from Shasta project in British Columbia
TDG expects PEA on Shasta gold, silver project in third quarter
2nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed TDG Gold Corporation has initiated a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its 100%-owned Shasta gold/silver project in the Greater Shasta-Newberry area of the Toodoggone district... 


Golden Eye prospect at the Chibougamau project, in Québec
Central Asia proposes ‘win-win’ takeover of Cygnus and its Québec flagship
2nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Aim-listed base metals miner Central Asia Metals has proposed to acquire ASX- and TSX-V-listed Cygnus Metals at an implied equity value of A$232-million. The companies have entered into a... 


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pqt: 0.103s - ct: 1.347s - 288pq - 2rq
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