The effect of the fatal rock burst at Codelco’s flagship El Teniente mine will be greater than initially expected, with copper production losses now forecast to reach 48,000 tonnes in 2025, the Chilean producer’s chairman has said.

The copper concentrates benchmark faces historic uncertainty as market participants gather for LME Week 2025, with potential for negative treatment and refining charges and growing regional divergence shaping the next phase of copper pricing.

LME Week 2025 arrives amid supply disruptions, evolving carbon policies and tariff tensions that continue to reshape the copper, aluminium and zinc markets.

Teck Resources has again reduced its copper output forecasts through 2028 as production challenges persist at its Quebrada Blanca mine in Chile, reflecting a broader slowdown across the global copper industry. The company’s revised targets underline tightening supply conditions for the red metal.

Abu Dhabi’s IRH Trading is accelerating its copper trading expansion, targeting 1 million tonnes per year by 2030. Backed by strategic mining assets in Africa and sovereign capital, the company aims to strengthen its global presence in metals trading while fostering long-term partnerships.

Fastmarkets will discontinue its assessment of the MB-CU-0410 copper rod premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents per lb, from November 6. After a consultation period, which ended on Wednesday October 8, Fastmarkets will discontinue the premium due to low market liquidity and a lack of demand. Fastmarkets received only neutral or indifferent feedback during the consultation […]

Vitol is expanding its presence in copper trading with senior hires and a cautious, long-term strategy. The move highlights the growing role of metals in energy traders’ portfolios as markets shift post-Ukraine conflict.

Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-CU-0287 copper concentrates TC index, cif Asia Pacific, which was published incorrectly on Friday September 26 due to an error in the approval process. The rationale for MB-CU-0287 copper concentrates TC index, cif Asia Pacific, had erroneously stated that a bid had been reported in negative territory at around the […]

Freeport-McMoRan has declared force majeure at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia following a fatal incident, with copper and gold output expected to fall 35% in 2026. The company projects a gradual recovery, with operations potentially returning to pre-incident levels in 2027.

Market participants active in the aluminium and copper scrap and primary aluminium markets reported continued bearish markets with relief not expected in the near term during conversations at the Recycled Materials Association Roundtables in Chicago from September 10-12.