Copper producers around the world have moved to halt or cut back operations and slow construction projects of the bellwether metal as the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak continues. In South America, where the bulk of the world’s copper is produced, several mining giants have announced various...
Anglo American has reported a 4% rise in total production for the final quarter of 2019, despite a severe drought in Chile pulling back copper production in the last three months of the year. Output from its flagship Los Bronces mine plummeted by 28%, which pulled...
Canadian mining giant First Quantum Minerals is pondering an investment of around US$1 billion to boost falling production at the Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia, according to a company document seen by Reuters. In the presentation given to Zambian government officials, First Quantum said the investment...
The construction permit for Southern Copper Corp’s US$1.4 billion Tia Maria copper mine has been restored by the Peruvian government, after it had suspended the licence in August amid rising local protests. Prime Minister Vicente Zeballos said on Wednesday the government would not ‘impose’ the project...
Australian miner SolGold has revealed that ‘significant improvements’ have been made at its Alpala copper project in Ecuador following the successful completion of metallurgical test work. The London and Toronto-listed firm reported an estimated 3.8% copper recovery increase, giving a life of mine (LOM) average of...
Canada’s Taseko Mines and Australia-based TNG Ltd both announced plans to list on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), in a boost to the market which has recently been weighed down by Brexit-related uncertainty. Copper producer Taseko is already listed in Toronto and New York, but hopes...
BHP has announced that it will supply all of its copper mines in Chile with renewable energy from 2021 after signing four new contracts with Chilean utility companies. The renewable energy deals will cut energy costs by an estimated 20% at the mining giant’s Escondida and...
Anglo American’s US$5.3 billion Quellaveco copper project has been labelled a ‘generational asset’ and ‘a licence to print money’ by the CEO of its Peruvian operations Tom McCulley. Quellaveco is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits, located in the Moquegua region of Peru. The...
The Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines has temporarily suspended a construction licence given to Southern Copper for its US$1.4 billion Tía María copper project in the Arequipa region of Peru, following protests from local farmers. Energy and Mines Minister Francisco Ismodes told local TV station Canal N...
Australia delivered a full-year trade surplus of AUS$49.9 billion thanks to record high exports from the resources sector, which has been boosted by higher commodity prices during the last year. Iron ore was again Australia’s biggest single contributor to exports, delivering $77 billion in revenue over...