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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.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

BHP trims 2027 copper guidance despite record year

BHP produced nearly two-million tonnes of copper and record iron-ore output for the 2026 financial year, but has lowered 2027 copper guidance to between 1.65-million and 1.8-million tonnes, a decrease of about 15%, mainly owing to a planned decline in Escondida ore grades in Chile. The warning triggered a sharp selloff in BHP shares and the broader Australian mining sub-index, compounding pressure from an eight-hour work stoppage at its Port Hedland iron-ore operations.

Hillgrove advances new Kanmantoo mining front, plans rebrand

ASX-listed Hillgrove Resources has approved development of Emily Star, a third underground front at its Kanmantoo copper mine in South Australia, requiring between $20-million and $22-million in capital, and will seek shareholder approval to rename itself Kantra Copper alongside a share consolidation.

Peru and Congo face copper-linked political and health risks

A study warns that Peru's President-elect Keiko Fujimori could face unrest as she fast-tracks copper projects such as Tia Maria and Rio Blanco in regions that voted against her, while a worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is delaying US-backed minerals partnership talks aimed at securing copper and cobalt access.

Copper Updates


Mount Polley mine area
Imperial posts lower Q2 output amid grade improvements, gets approval for tailings dam
Updated 2 hours 15 minutes ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-listed Imperial Metals Corporation has advised of the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office recommending approval for the Mount Polley tailings dam construction to a 987 m elevation,... 


La Plata exploration site
Newmont acquires shares to maintain Metallic Minerals 9.2% shareholding
Updated 2 hours 33 minutes ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

Global gold miner Newmont Corporation has invested $902 916 to acquire 3.2-million units of TSX-V-listed Metallic Minerals Corporation in a private placement to maintain a 9.2% ownership interest... 


A map indicating the global distribution and regional exposure profile of baseline water stress for mining and metals facilities
Competition for water resources a risk to the global energy transition, warns ICMM
Updated 2 hours 45 minutes ago By: Chanel de Bruyn

Mining and metals advocacy group the ICMM warns that water availability could, in many regions, act as a constraint on the development of new mines and related facilities, particularly for the... 


Grupo Mexico mine underground
Grupo Mexico profit beats estimates on higher copper prices
Updated 5 hours ago By: Reuters

Mining and transportation conglomerate Grupo Mexico said on Tuesday its second-quarter net profit rose nearly 79% from the same period a year earlier, bolstered by higher copper prices and well... 


Vale's Mutuca iron-ore mine
Vale posts largest second-quarter iron-ore output since 2018
Updated 5 hours ago By: Reuters

Brazilian miner Vale posted on Tuesday its largest second-quarter output figure since 2018, with production of the steelmaking material rising 0.8% from a year earlier and coming above analysts'... 


Boliden's Garpenberg mine, in Sweden
Boliden lags Q2 forecasts as mine disruption, smelter ramp-up delay weigh
21st July 2026 By: Reuters

Swedish miner Boliden reported a weaker-than-expected quarterly adjusted operating profit, sending its shares 3% lower on Tuesday, hit by higher costs, disruption at its Garpenberg mine (Sweden)... 


Zinc metal
Zinc expected to retreat in 2026 as weak demand offsets supply fears
20th July 2026 By: Reuters

Zinc prices are expected to retreat from recent highs over the rest of the year as lacklustre demand offsets supply disruptions, analysts say. The metal used to galvanise steel is up more than 13%... 


South32 delivers strong operating results, accelerates portfolio transition
South32 delivers strong operating results, accelerates portfolio transition
20th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

In its latest quarterly report, diversified miner South32 CEO Matt Daley says the group continued to deliver strong operating results, exceeding group production guidance for the financial year... 


Copper ore
Sunrise Resources secures lease on copper area in Nevada
20th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

UK-based mineral exploration and development company Sunrise Resources has established a new copper/silver/gold project in Nevada called Lake after its location in the Lake Mining District. Sunrise... 


Sierra Gorda mine
South32 Q4 copper output declines, missing market estimates
20th July 2026 By: Reuters

Australian diversified miner South32 reported lower fourth-quarter copper production on Monday, missing market estimates, as impacts from inclement weather continued to hamper mining operations at... 


Valterra Platinum CEO Craig Miller
Higher sales volumes, prices contribute to significant earnings increases for Valterra
17th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Platinum group metals (PGMs) miner Valterra Platinum expects its headline earnings and headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months ended June 30 to increase by more than 1 388%... 


Kanmantoo copper mine
Hillgrove proceeds with new underground mine front at Kanmantoo, proposes name-change
17th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Hillgrove Resources has garnered board approval for the start of development at Emily Star as the third underground mining front of the Kanmantoo copper mine, in South Australia. The... 


Lundin Mining's Caserones mine, in Chile
Lundin Mining expects gold collar contract losses of $12m in Q2
17th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and Nasdaq-listed mining major Lundin Mining expects to report certain impacts to its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) and adjusted earnings per... 


Aerial view of the headgear of the Platreef mine’s three shafts. The recently commissioned four-million-tonne-a-year Shaft #3 will be used to hoist ore for the Phase 1 operation as well as, from the fourth quarter of 2027, for the Phase 2 operations. Shaft #2 is currently being widened to a diameter of 10 m, making it the largest shaft in Africa.
Platreef palladium/rhodium/nickel/platinum/copper/gold project, South Africa – update
17th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Commercial production is now expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. 


Industries require reliable power, while developing the energy industry can create local demand
Africa needs power to accelerate industrialisation
16th July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Power in Africa is not only an issue of infrastructure, but also an economic issue because industry requires reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. Industrial competitiveness is impossible... 


Elemental Royalty acquires stake in Quilla Resources, royalty over Peru copper project
16th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Nasdaq- and TSX-listed Elemental Royalty has entered into an investment agreement of $25-million with Peruvian mining company Quilla Resources and its subsidiary Minera Pamapa de Cobre (MPC) to... 


Port Hedland in Australia
Australian shares end flat; BHP copper output cut, work-stoppage dents miners
16th July 2026 By: Reuters

Australian shares ended flat on Thursday, as banks steadied the benchmark against a BHP-led mining selloff that wiped out most of the sector's recent gains, after the global miner cut its copper... 


The Escondida mine
BHP confident of group’s future growth opportunities, despite warning of lower 2027 copper output
16th July 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Global diversified miner BHP produced nearly two-million tonnes of copper and record iron-ore production for the financial year ended June 30, but has substantially lowered its copper production... 


A doctor in PPE
Congo Ebola outbreak disrupts US-backed minerals talks, sources say
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

A worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is disrupting travel and delaying meetings tied to a US-backed critical minerals partnership aimed at loosening China's hold on... 


Peru President-elect Keiko Fujimori
Fujimori's mining push could spur unrest in Peru, study says
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

Peru's President-elect Keiko Fujimori could face new protests in mining areas as her government tries to spearhead large copper and other mining projects that have been delayed for years, according... 


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pqt: 0.294s - ct: 0.379s - 288pq - 2rq
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