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Copper news
Every copper story we've published, newest first.
- 53
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- 11 September 2026
Sandvik order pushes Kamoa-Kakula underground fleet past 100 units
Sandvik will supply 19 more trucks and loaders to Kamoa-Kakula, taking the underground equipment fleet at Africa's largest copper mine past 100 units.
Zijin warns Kamoa-Kakula flooding threatens its 2026 copper target
Zijin Mining said flooding at Kamoa-Kakula could cut its attributable copper output by up to 57,000 tonnes in 2026, threatening its group-wide 1.2 million tonne target.
Lumwana revenue jumps 32% in first half as Barrick keeps expansion on track
Barrick's Lumwana mine earned $852m in revenue in the first half of 2026, up from $645m, and the company said its $2bn Super Pit expansion remains on time and on budget.
Sentinel rebounds as First Quantum's Zambian mines hold 2026 guidance
First Quantum's Sentinel mine produced 50,335t of copper in the second quarter, up 5,083t, while Kansanshi slipped on planned maintenance; both kept 2026 guidance unchanged.
IEA warns copper supply outlook has 'worsened considerably' on acid crisis
The International Energy Agency said the copper supply outlook has worsened significantly, warning DRC mines reliant on sulphuric acid leaching face a strong set of near-term challenges.
Congo tax authorities seal Glencore's Kamoto Copper offices
Congolese tax authorities sealed the offices of Glencore's Kamoto Copper Company in a dispute over payments the state says it is owed, though production was unaffected.
DRC says Middle East conflict won't derail copper and cobalt supply
The DRC said it expects no major disruption to copper and cobalt production despite Middle East supply-chain pressure, reporting first-quarter copper exports of 824,000 tonnes.
Trafigura, Aurubis complete first low-carbon copper sale via Lobito rail
Trafigura, Aurubis and Kamoa Copper completed the first sale of low-carbon refined copper shipped from the DRC to Europe via the Lobito Atlantic Railway.
Iran war acid squeeze puts up to 125,000t of Congo copper at risk
Wood Mackenzie estimated that sulphur supply disruption from the Iran war could remove up to 125,000 tonnes of copper output in the DRC, as acid prices more than doubled.
CMOC threatens dismissal to end illegal strike at Tenke Fungurume
Workers at CMOC's Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine returned to work after the company threatened dismissal over a strike sparked by a disputed labour agreement.
Mopani declines to use its 100,000t duty-free concentrate export quota
Mopani Copper Mines said it has no plan to export concentrate under Zambia's latest duty waiver, despite receiving the largest allocation of 100,000t, and will instead feed its own smelter.
Kipushi sets new monthly zinc record, stays on track for 2026 guidance
Ivanhoe Mines' Kipushi mine in the DRC set a new monthly zinc production record in May, putting it on course to become the world's fourth-largest zinc producer this year.
Konkola Copper Mines takes Nchanga smelter offline for 60-day overhaul
Konkola Copper Mines began a planned 60-day maintenance shutdown of its Nchanga smelter on 29 May, with work scheduled to run to 25 July as part of Vedanta's modernisation plan.
Zambia lets Chambishi and Mopani resume limited acid exports to Congo
Zambia has cleared Chambishi Copper Smelter and Mopani Copper Mines to resume limited sulphuric acid exports to the DRC, after domestic stocks recovered from months of shortage.
Zambia's first-quarter copper output slips 4% as small-scale production falls
Zambia produced 208,992t of copper in the first quarter of 2026, down 4.27% year on year, although output from large-scale mines rose 1.8%, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe said.
Barrick's Lumwana Super Pit stays on time and budget as mill building rises
Barrick said construction of the $2bn Lumwana Super Pit expansion in Zambia advanced on schedule in the first quarter, with 2026 capex expected at the lower end of its $750m–$850m range.
First Quantum pushes Guelb Moghrein's switch to gold into 2027
First Quantum has deferred the conversion of its Guelb Moghrein mine in Mauritania to a gold-only operation until 2027, raising 2026 copper guidance to about 7,000t and cutting gold guidance.
Extended Mopani and Chambishi smelter outages set to tighten Zambia's acid supply
Two of Zambia's largest copper smelters, Mopani and Chambishi, face extended maintenance outages in 2026, threatening copper output and sulphuric acid supply already strained by the Iran war.
DRC lifts planned copper sales to US fivefold to 500,000 tonnes
The DRC raised planned copper sales to the United States to 500,000 tonnes, a fivefold increase on its initial commitment, as Gécamines expands its independent trading operation.
Ivanhoe stuns market with deep cut to Kamoa-Kakula guidance
Ivanhoe Mines shocked investors by cutting 2026 guidance at Kamoa-Kakula to 290,000-330,000 tonnes and 2027 guidance to 380,000-420,000 tonnes, citing a more conservative mine plan.
Ivanhoe ships first copper anodes via Lobito Corridor to Aurubis
Ivanhoe Mines made its first copper export via the Lobito Corridor, shipping high-purity anodes from its new Kamoa-Kakula smelter to Germany's Aurubis for low-carbon refining.