https://www.miningweekly.com

Receive our free daily newsletter:

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 News


Image of NMG mine, US
Nevada Gold Mines , US
Updated 7 hours ago By: Sheila Barradas

A gold mine in northern Nevada, in the US. 


a mini excavator
Automation, efficiency drive equipment demand
Updated 7 hours ago By: Devina Haripersad

Productivity, automation, safety and sustainability initiatives are increasingly shaping investment decisions in South Africa’s earthmoving and surface mining equipment sector, says diesel engine... 


An image of PwC South Africa energy, utilities and resources leader Andries Rossouw
Action imperative for future success of global mining industry – PwC
25th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The mining industry is delivering a solid financial performance despite grappling with rising geopolitical pressures, energy transition demands and structural investment gaps. However, despite this... 


Danakali project map in Australia
Danakali expects assays on four projects by August
25th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

National Stock Exchange of Australia-listed Danakali has completed field reconnaissance and soil sampling across four of its projects in the Gascoyne and Murchison regions, with additional sampling... 


Trekor copper
Taseko starts trading as Trekor Metals on June 29
25th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and NYSE-listed Taseko Mines expects its namechange to Trekor Metals to become effective today, with the company's common shares due to start trading under the new name on June 29. The ticker... 


BHP CEO Brandon Craig
Strikes, soaring costs and M&A await BHP's new CEO Craig
25th June 2026 By: Reuters

Newly minted BHP CEO Brandon Craig faces a crowded in-tray as he takes mining's top job on July 1, from threatened iron ore strikes and ballooning costs to a potential uranium push and a febrile... 


Vedanta's aluminium smelter in India
Vedanta completes historic demerger, lists four new companies in India
25th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Global diversified miner Vedanta Group has passed a defining milestone in Indian corporate history with the successful listing of four newly demerged companies on the Bombay Stock Exchange and... 


El Teniente copper mine
Chile's Codelco to consider asset sales, partnerships in investment review
25th June 2026 By: Reuters

Chile's State-owned Codelco, one of the world's largest copper producers, will consider asset sales and partnerships as part of a broader review of its investment priorities, chairperson Bernardo... 


Copper World project area
Hudbay completes buy-out of Arizona Sonoran to create one large copper district
24th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and NYSE-listed Hudbay Minerals has completed the acquisition of Arizona Sonoran Copper, with Arizona Sonoran shareholders having received 0.242 of a Hudbay common share for each Arizona... 


Haib copper project
Koryx Copper progresses exploration at Zambia projects
24th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-V-listed Koryx Copper reports that while the company’s focus remains on its Haib copper project, in Namibia, it continues to carry out systematic exploration at its Zambian assets, with the aim... 


Copper mineralisation
American West Metals says PFS on Canada's newest copper project imminent
24th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

After spending additional time to refine a processing flowsheet, mine plan and other aspects, ASX-listed American West Metals says it is making progress on a prefeasibility study (PFS) for the... 


The neighbouring Los Bronces and Andina mines, in Chile
Anglo, Codelco ink definitive agreement for joint mine plan in Chile
24th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Diversified miner Anglo American has completed a definitive agreement with Chile's State-owned miner Codelco to implement a joint mine plan for their respective Los Bronces and Andina copper... 


A copper mine in the DRC
Congo eyes co-ops, credit scheme to fund mine workers' equity stakes
24th June 2026 By: Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo is considering a plan to help mining employees acquire mandatory stakes in the companies they work for through worker cooperatives and company-financed credit, a... 


Teck's QB2 copper project, in Chile
Teck Resources promotes capital markets expert as treasurer, investor relations VP
23rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and NYSE-listed Teck Resources has appointed Edwin Shadeo treasurer and acting VP for investor relations effective immediately, succeeding Emma Chapman, who is leaving Teck to pursue new... 


Critical minerals ore
Orion CMC in advanced discussions for three Asian partnerships
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC), a minerals investment group backed by the US government, is in advanced discussions to establish three new public-private partnerships in Asia as it... 


Capstone copper piles
Capstone inks three-year wage deal with unions at Mantos Blancos amid expansion plans
22nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and ASX-listed Capstone Copper has signed a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with both unions at the Mantos Blancos copper and silver mine, in Chile. Following successful... 


Xarxar project area in Azerbaijan
Anglo Asian contracts Worley Europe for two copper feasibility studies in Azerbaijan
22nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Aim-listed gold, copper and silver producer Anglo Asian Mining has appointed Worley Europe as its contractor to complete the Xarxar and Garadag feasibility studies, in Azerbaijan. The feasibility... 


Red Chris mine
Newmont's Red Chris mine gets key approval for block cave transition
22nd June 2026 By: Reuters

Global gold miner Newmont said on Friday its Red Chris mine in British Columbia has received crucial regulatory approvals, paving the way for a transition from open-pit mining to a block caving... 


Cobre Panama mine
First Quantum's shuttered mine passes audit, as Panama weighs restart
22nd June 2026 By: Reuters

A government-commissioned audit of First Quantum Minerals' shuttered Cobre Panama mine found the project broadly compliant with its environmental, legal and operational obligations, handing the... 


Copper sheets
Zambia's ZCCM says CopperTech IPO could speed up $2.7bn expansion project
19th June 2026 By: Reuters

Zambia's ZCCM Investment Holdings said on Friday that Vedanta's planned IPO of its copper unit could speed up their jointly owned company's $2.7-billion expansion project. Vedanta is preparing the... 


1
2 3

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







pqt: 0.218s - ct: 0.265s - 275pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now