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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


An image of Mushima North drill core samples
Tertiary announces positive analytical results from Zambia project
Updated 51 minutes ago By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals has announced additional laboratory analytical results from the recent Phase 4 drill programme at the Discovery zone in Target A1 at the Mushima North project, in... 


Kalahari copper belt
Unicorn Mineral Resources acquires sizable interest in historic Namibia mine
Updated 52 minutes ago By: Lumkile Nkomfe

LSE-listed Unicorn Mineral Resources has signed a formal share purchase agreement to acquire a 75% interest in mining and exploration company Q Global Copper Namibia, which holds two prospecting... 


A nickel and copper drill core from Uru
URU advances drilling contractor selection for South African project
Updated 4 hours ago By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed URU Metals has advanced the drilling contractor selection process for the drilling programme at its Zeb nickel project, in Limpopo, South Africa, and is now completing the final... 


The FLS stand at Electra Mining Africa showcased the company’s broad portfolio of technologies and solutions supporting efficient, reliable mineral processing operations
Fls Reinforces Lifecycle Strategy For African Mining Following Electra Mining Africa
Updated 4 hours ago

The conversations at Electra Mining Africa highlighted a clear shift taking place across the continent's mining industry. Faced with ageing processing infrastructure, constrained capital budgets... 


Palladium
Canadian copper, palladium producer Generation Mining secures $140m federal investment
Updated 6 hours ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed emerging copper and palladium miner Generation Mining has secured about $140-million of investment from Canada Growth Fund (CGF), which supports the progression of the Marathon... 


An image of Project Roan
Jubilee looks to further production growth after higher 2026 output achieved
14th September 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Integrated copper producer and resource developer Jubilee Metals’ combined production prior to refining from the Roan operations and Molefe mine totalled 3 739 t of copper for the financial year... 


Pioneer project tungsten mineralisation
Red Mountain confirms decent grades of copper, gold, alongside consistent tungsten at Pioneer
14th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Red Mountain Mining has reported consistent tungsten mineralisation coupled with strong copper, silver and gold values returned from assay results on its wholly-owned Pioneer tungsten... 


drilling site
State exploration programme targets critical minerals
11th September 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

South Africa’s government geological agency the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has introduced a high-resolution mapping programme to identify areas with potential to host critical minerals, with the... 


Image of Türkiye map/flag
Gediktepe mine, Türkiye
11th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A copper and zinc mining operation in Balıkesir Province, in western Türkiye. 


Image of copper nugget and ore
Olympic Dam growth projects, Australia – update
11th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

BHP has awarded several contracts to provide study and engineering, procurement and construction management services for potential block-cave development and associated infrastructure.  


Copper ore
US copper price premium sinks on report that tariff plan stalls
10th September 2026 By: Reuters

LONDON - The premium paid to ship copper to the US fell sharply on Thursday after Reuters reported that Washington's plans to impose a tariff on imports of the metal had stalled. With copper... 


Winu project
Rio Tinto secures Aboriginal cooperation on newest copper project Winu
10th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Diversified miner Rio Tinto has signed a project agreement with the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation (NWAC) which secures a long-term partnership for the development of the Winu... 


Chile President Jose Antonio Kast
Chile proposes market reform to boost junior mining exploration
10th September 2026 By: Reuters

Chile has introduced a capital markets reform aimed at boosting early-stage mining exploration and attracting foreign capital to the world's top copper producer and second-largest lithium supplier,... 


Skouries project, in Greece
Eldorado produces first gold, copper concentrate at Skouries in Greece
9th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and NYSE-listed Eldorado Gold has produced first copper/gold concentrate from its Skouries project in Greece, marking a transition from construction and commissioning through to commercial... 


Molten copper
Copper set to test $15 000 as investors await US data, tariff clarity
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

Copper prices could break through $15 000 for the first time as soon as this week, analysts said on Tuesday, as investors position for another round of US economic data and President Donald Trump... 


Ivanhoe founder Robert Friedland
Ivanhoe talking to big tech as congo copper project expands
8th September 2026 By: Bloomberg

Mining tycoon Robert Friedland said he’s fielding “unconventional interest,” including from US Big Tech, in Ivanhoe Mines’ fast-expanding copper exploration project in the Democratic Republic of... 


KGHM's Lubin mine, in Poland
Mining giants KGHM, BHP ink MoU to explore areas of mutual interest globally
8th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The second-largest producer of silver globally and the EU's largest producer of mined copper KGHM Polska Miedź and global diversified miner BHP World Exploration have signed a memorandum of... 


The Tenke Fungurume mine in the DRC
Congo extends State control over mining with bid to lock down geological data
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

Democratic Republic of Congo plans to tighten control over geological data that guides billions of dollars in mining exploration, potentially extending state influence over the development of... 


Copper smelting
Chile should improve copper smelters before building more, Cochilco says
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

Chile should improve the performance of its existing copper smelters before building new ones, State copper commission Cochilco said on Monday, as global competition for copper concentrate... 



Drill core sample from Mushima North
Tertiary Minerals announces results from Phase 4 infill drilling at Zambia project
7th September 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals has announced additional laboratory analytical results from the recent Phase 4 drill programme at the Discovery zone in Target A1, at its Mushima North project in... 


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pqt: 0.414s - ct: 0.467s - 275pq - 2rq
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