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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 News


Geological mapping at the Zeb project
URU ground survey refines additional targets at South African nickel project
5th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed URU Metals has provided a further update from the recently completed ground geophysics programme at its Zeb nickel project, in Limpopo, South Africa. Following the confirmation of Target... 


Copper rods
Tesla co founder-backed copper maker Red Metals secures seed funding for US refining plant
5th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canada-listed copper manufacturer Red Metals has secured $10-million in seed funding which will contribute to its planned $70-million facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to scale its novel... 


Coal ore in hand
Zambia's ZCCM-IH partners with Chinese firm to build 600 MW coal plant
5th June 2026 By: Reuters

Zambia's ZCCM Investments Holdings has agreed a deal with Chinese-owned Wonderful Group Services to build a 600 MW coal-fired power station at an estimated cost of nearly $452-million, the... 


Image of the Prieska mine
Prieska Copper Zinc Mine, South Africa – update
5th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The remaining conditions precedent to the Glencore financing and offtake agreement, updated intercreditor arrangements and linked offtake agreements, are expected to be completed by the end of the... 


Drill holes shown in green at Flat Mine East.
Northern Cape copper drilling provides clear scale-up path
5th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The latest drilling at Okiep in South Africa’s copper-endowed Northern Cape has provided a clear path to scale up at Flat Mine East, where a down-dip extension hole is already being developed as a... 


Aerial view of the Okiep operation
Okiep Copper Project, South Africa – update
5th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Orion Mineral Resources has said that the ptimisation of the project is a key focus for 2026. 


Botswana Minerals chairperson John Teeling
AI spots Botswana copper targets
5th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim- and Botswana Shttps://preditor.creamermedia.co.za/article.view.php?a_id=721951&ct_id=1&op=edit#tock Exchange-listed copper and diamond exploration company Botswana Minerals has announced that... 


Platinum ore
Russian Platinum plans November launch of Arctic mine
4th June 2026 By: Reuters

Russian Platinum plans to start production at its Arctic polymetallic project in November, the company’s owner said on Thursday. Currently only metals giant Nornickel produces platinum group... 


A rough ruby at the Montepuez mine in Mozambique
Mozambique tightens grip on mining with 15% state stake rule, local processing
4th June 2026 By: Reuters

Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo has signed a new law requiring 15% State ownership in all mining ventures and local processing of minerals, tightening control over its resources as demand for... 


A generic image of a mine plant
Jubilee’s Roan concentrator returns to full capacity following maintenance shutdown
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026 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
4th June 2026

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
4th June 2026

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
4th June 2026

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?
4th June 2026

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... 


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pqt: 0.136s - ct: 0.186s - 275pq - 2rq
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