Copper
Learn more about copper and view copper price charts
Copper is one of the most commonly used of the base metals, and when in high demand, copper is a reliable indicator of our economic health. But its importance isn’t confined to electrical wires and thermal conductors.
Copper also plays a vital role in the rise of renewable energies and the production of electric vehicles, helping us transition to a low-carbon economy.
Our team of experts provides global and local data-driven insights, prices, forecasts and market news to help you make sense of the forces influencing the copper market. Our expert analysis provides critical insights to help you predict future trends for win-win outcomes in your contract negotiations.
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Inform your base metals strategy with metals price forecasts and analysis for the global base metals industry
Market-reflective copper price data spanning the copper supply chain, from copper concentrates and copper wire to copper scrap
Find out how we assess and forecast prices for the global metals market
What’s ahead in the copper market?
As copper prices reach record highs and analysts warn of ‘unsustainable deficits’, we explore the key trends shaping the copper market:
- How copper demand growth is being spurred by the energy transition
- Copper production forecasts and the struggle to keep up with demand
- Copper recycling and predictions for the future
- Data on forecast copper deficit
- The emerging challenges for copper smelters
- Whether current copper trends can be sustained
The United States’ copper recycling industry is ramping up pressure on policymakers to impose some form of export controls on high-purity copper scrap, arguing that current trade dynamics – particularly with China – are distorting prices, weakening domestic capacity and undermining national security goals.
US copper scrap market participants are shifting from COMEX to LME pricing in response to extreme price volatility and a new 50% copper import tariff. The change is influencing discount formulas, export strategies and long-term trading dynamics across the sector.
The global copper market has finally received the widely anticipated news that imports to the US will be tariffed from August 1. The finer details of the tariffs, including their scope, and whether key copper-exporting nations like Chile, Canada and Peru will be exempt, remain unclear.
LME copper prices took a significant hit following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential 50% tariff on copper imports. The uncertainty surrounding the timeline and implementation of the tariff has left market participants hesitant, with analysts noting its immediate impact on price momentum and trading activity.
‘Probably miscalculated’ assumptions at Kakula mine force Ivanhoe to overhaul entire Kamoa-Kakula complex, explains CEO Marna Cloete.
Vale Base Metals plans to boost annual copper production to 700,000 tonnes by 2035, aiming to become a top-five global producer of nickel and copper. CEO Shaun Usmar highlights a focus on productivity, cost optimization and sustainable growth. With strong assets in Canada and Brazil, Vale is well-positioned to meet rising global demand.
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