First Quantum Opens Cobre Panama to Public in Bid for Restart Support 1 International Copper Corporate News 

First Quantum Opens Cobre Panama to Public in Bid for Restart Support

First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM) officially opened Cobre Panama to visitors on Monday as part of its efforts to regain public support for restarting the $10 billion copper mine, which has remained shut for over a year. In a press release, Cobre Panama announced the launch of its Mine Visit program, granting the public access to one of Latin America’s most advanced copper mining operations. Guided by Panamanian engineers and miners, visitors can tour key facilities, including the Botija pit, the 300 MW power plant, the international port, and the… Read More Here
Zambia Faces Environmental Crisis After Copper Mine Waste Spill 2 Mining in Zambia Copper Mining safety 

Zambia Faces Environmental Crisis After Copper Mine Waste Spill

A massive waste spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia has raised serious environmental and health concerns, with authorities fearing long-term damage to the Kafue River, the country’s most vital waterway. According to an investigation by the Engineering Institution of Zambia, approximately 50 million liters of waste—containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids, and heavy metals—spilled from the Chambishi copper mine into streams that feed into the Kafue River. The incident occurred on February 18 when a tailings dam at the mine, operated by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, collapsed. The company is… Read More Here
Zijin Mining Reports 52% Profit Surge Amid Strong Copper and Gold Prices 3 Mining in DRC Copper Gold 

Zijin Mining Reports 52% Profit Surge Amid Strong Copper and Gold Prices

Zijin Mining Group, China’s largest metals producer, recorded a 52% increase in net profit in 2023, driven by higher production and rising copper and gold prices. The company reported a net income of 32.1 billion yuan ($4.4 billion), aligning with its forecast of 32 billion yuan, while revenue climbed 3.5% to 303.6 billion yuan. Over the past decade, Zijin has aggressively expanded its global presence, establishing major copper projects in China and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As securing critical mineral supply becomes a growing concern for global powers, Chairman… Read More Here
Chemaf Scraps Norin Mining Deal Amid US-China Mineral Tensions 4 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper 

Chemaf Scraps Norin Mining Deal Amid US-China Mineral Tensions

Copper and cobalt producer Chemaf Resources Ltd. has abandoned its planned sale to Norin Mining Ltd., marking a potential victory for US efforts to curb China’s influence over global mineral supply chains. The deal collapsed after Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities failed to approve the transaction, according to a source familiar with the matter. Chemaf, backed by commodity trader Trafigura Group, informed creditors that the sale to Norin—a subsidiary of China’s state-owned Norinco Group—would not proceed. Congo’s state-owned mining company, Gécamines, which holds the permit for Chemaf’s Mutoshi cobalt… Read More Here
CMOC Posts Record Earnings in 2024 on Strong Cobalt and Copper Output 5 Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper 

CMOC Posts Record Earnings in 2024 on Strong Cobalt and Copper Output

China’s CMOC Group Ltd., the world’s largest cobalt producer, reported record earnings in 2024, driven by increased production, higher sales, and rising copper prices. The company’s net income surged 64% to 13.5 billion yuan ($1.9 billion), surpassing analysts’ estimates of 12.3 billion yuan. Revenue rose 14% to 213 billion yuan, also exceeding forecasts. CMOC attributed its strong performance to capacity expansions and efficiency improvements. “Mining is a cyclical industry, and accurately understanding market cycles is key to successful expansion,” the company stated in its earnings report. “At the bottom of… Read More Here
Panama Awaits Formal Notice on First Quantum's Arbitration Suspension 6 International Copper Corporate News 

Panama Awaits Formal Notice on First Quantum’s Arbitration Suspension

PANAMA CITY – Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino stated on Thursday that his government has yet to receive official notification from Canada’s First Quantum Minerals regarding the suspension of arbitration over its Cobre Panama copper mine. An internal memo from Cobre Panama, the company’s local unit, revealed last Friday that First Quantum had instructed its lawyers to begin suspending arbitration proceedings. The cases were originally filed after the Panamanian government shut down the mine in 2023 following widespread protests over environmental concerns. Mulino clarified that his administration cannot engage in… Read More Here
Congo's Copper and Cobalt Export Suspension Impacts Prices 7 Copper Cobalt Economy Mining in DRC 

Congo’s Copper and Cobalt Export Suspension Impacts Prices

The Central Bank of Congo (BCC) reported on March 19, 2025, a 3.3% decline in the price of copper per tonne compared to December 2024. This drop is attributed to concerns over the Congolese government’s suspension of copper exports to the global market. Since February 22, 2025, the price of copper has continued to decrease, by a 0.15% drop compared to the previous week. The BCC noted that copper prices have fallen by 11.97% since the end of December 2024 and have seen a staggering 60% decline over the past… Read More Here
Zambia and DRC to Lead Africa's Copper Industry Expansion in 2025 8 Copper Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia 

Zambia and DRC to Lead Africa’s Copper Industry Expansion in 2025

Africa’s copper industry is set for significant expansion in 2025, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia leading the charge. Both nations are ramping up production through new mining projects, increased exploration, and modernization of existing operations to meet growing global demand. Copper production surged across Africa in 2024, with top producers setting ambitious targets for further growth. In the DRC, output rose by 12.6% year-on-year, reaching 3.3 million metric tons—accounting for 11% of global supply. This increase was driven by the Phase Three Expansion of Ivanhoe Mines’… Read More Here
Prospect Resources Unveils Maiden Resource Estimate for Zambia’s Mumbezhi Copper Project 9 Mining in Zambia Copper New Mining Projects 

Prospect Resources Unveils Maiden Resource Estimate for Zambia’s Mumbezhi Copper Project

ASX-listed Prospect Resources has announced a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 107 million tonnes at 0.5% copper, containing a total of 515,000 tonnes of copper at its Mumbezhi copper project in Zambia. The resources are distributed across the Nyungu Central and Kabikupa deposits. The MRE includes: Gold and cobalt resources at Mumbezhi have not yet been classified under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) guidelines due to historical inconsistencies in cobalt assays and limited gold assay data. Additionally, comprehensive metallurgical testwork to assess potential recoveries of these byproducts has… Read More Here
Panama Demands First Quantum Drop Legal Action for Mine Talks 10 International Copper Corporate News 

Panama Demands First Quantum Drop Legal Action for Mine Talks

Panama is urging First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM) to immediately withdraw its legal proceedings against the government if the company is serious about negotiating a restart of its shuttered Cobre Panama mine. President Jose Raul Mulino announced that he has authorized the export of stockpiled copper concentrate from the open-pit mine, adding that First Quantum must compensate Panama since the material will be processed abroad. “The concentrate is being wasted, and Panama has invested heavily in it,” Mulino stated during a press conference in Panama City. “The mine’s future will… Read More Here

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