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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


Patriot Resources completes Zambia site visit, geological mapping
Patriot Resources completes Zambia site visit, geological mapping
Updated 7 hours ago By: Sabrina Jardim

Battery metals company Patriot Resources has completed an initial site visit and first-pass reconnaissance geological mapping on its new Zambian licence, 33543-HQ-LEL. The licence covers about... 


This week: Anglo highlights ability to provide capital efficient copper growth in tightening market; Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand and, Decarbonisation reinforcing demand for Kumba Iron Ore‘s high grade, lump products
Resources Watch
5th August 2026

This week: Anglo highlights ability to provide capital efficient copper growth in tightening market; Valterra Platinum remains ‘highly confident’ in ‘robust outlook’ for PGM demand and,... 


Glencore CEO Gary Nagle.
Glencore half-year earnings up 86% to $10bn
5th August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Diversified mining and marketing company Glencore has delivered another strong operational and financial performance for the first half of the year. The assets of the London- and Johannesburg Stock... 


Chibougamau project area
Cygnus directors recommend shareholders approve Central Asia takeover
5th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The directors of ASX- and TSX-V-listed Cygnus Metals have recommended that shareholders vote in favour of a scheme of arrangement whereby Aim-listed base metals miner Central Asia Metals intends to... 


El Teniente mine
Chile's Codelco pauses El Teniente mine expansion over new signs of seismic risk
5th August 2026 By: Reuters

Chile's State-run copper miner Codelco has paused one of its expansion projects at its flagship El Teniente mine a year after a deadly collapse, saying recent studies show greater seismic risk than... 


ASX screens
Miners lead Australian stocks to record highs on signs of easing Iran tensions
5th August 2026 By: Reuters

Australian shares opened at a record high on Wednesday, led by miners, as hopes grew for an imminent end to the five-month-long Iran war. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose as much as 0.7% to a record... 


Copper sheets in a warehouse
Zambia miners eye election with hopes for support for copper expansion
4th August 2026 By: Reuters

For mining firms in Zambia, priorities for next week’s elections include stronger incentives for processing minerals, reviving exploration and expanding power generation, measures they say are... 


A rail yard on the Lobito Corridor railway project
DBSA, US DFC reach $786m financial close on Lobito Corridor railway project
4th August 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Development financial institutions the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have reached financial close on $786-million in... 


Critical minerals
Mining sector not as badly affected by Middle East conflict as first thought, but risks remain
4th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the release of its mid-year review, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted how contained the damage has been in the global mining and metals markets amid... 


Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott
Rio Tinto signals no rush to revive Glencore deal as standstill ends
4th August 2026 By: Reuters

A freeze on Rio Tinto approaching Glencore for a takeover expires this week, but people who have been briefed by top executives don't expect any fresh tie-up talks for now as CEO Simon Trott... 


The Caserones mine in Chile
Chile's economic activity returns to growth in June as mining rebounds
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Chile's economic activity index rose more than expected in June, central bank data showed on Monday, marking the first year-on-year increase in six months as stronger mining, trade and services... 


An underground mine in Mexico
Mexico mining industry sees investment jump in 2026 as firms expand projects, buy equipment
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Mexico's mining industry expects investment to rebound sharply in 2026, driven by spending on mine expansions, maintenance and equipment purchases, industry group Camimex said on Monday. The... 


Drill core and a hammer
Aterian identifies new copper targets at Morocco project
3rd August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Aterian says an independent interpretation of the recently completed high-resolution ground magnetic data has identified multiple priority copper/silver exploration targets at its... 


Austral's Rocklands copper mine
Austral makes binding proposal to acquire Hammer Metals
3rd August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

ASX-listed Austral Resources Australia has submitted a definitive written and binding proposal to acquire fellow ASX-listed Hammer Metals by way of a scheme of arrangement for a total implied value... 


A nickel smelter in Indonesia
Indonesia resumes exports of minerals containing rare earth byproducts, official says
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia has resumed exports of minerals that may contain rare earth elements as byproducts, the president's office said on Monday, following complaints from the metals industry about shipment... 


From Dialogue to Delivery: Water Stewardship and Integrated Mining Solutions for Namibia's Next Phase of Growth
3rd August 2026

By: AECI Mining Namibia's mining industry continues to attract investment across uranium, gold, copper and other critical minerals, positioning the sector for another period of growth. As mining... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (31/07/2026)
31st July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer discusses Valterra Platinum’s strategic partnerships supporting long-term PGM demand growth; calls for South Africa to urgently modernise mining and how AI is being used when it... 


Orion Minerals MD and CEO Tony Lennox
Orion Minerals expects first tranche of Glencore prepayment facility to be available end-Aug
31st July 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Johannesburg- and Australia-listed Orion Minerals says substantive progress has been made towards satisfying the outstanding conditions precedent related to financing and offtake agreements entered... 


Incoming Anglo Teck CEO Duncan Wanblad
Anglo, Teck announce incoming leaders of merged entity
31st July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

As a merger between mining giants Teck Resources and Anglo American nears completion, the companies have announced the executive leadership team that will lead Anglo Teck going forward. From... 


Vareš mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina
DPM Metals posts record quarterly free cashflow
31st July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX- and ASX-listed gold, copper and silver producer DPM Metals has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 apiece after achieving record free cashflow generation of $227-million in the three months... 


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pqt: 0.227s - ct: 0.276s - 275pq - 2rq
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