Copper - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Tenke Fungurume Mine Moves to Restore Operations After Brief Strike Disruption in DRC 1

DRC’s Tenke Fungurume Mine Ends Strike, CMOC Warns of Dismissals and Offers Bonuses to Non-Striking Workers The Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest copper mine, Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), has warned it will dismiss employees who refuse to end strike action that briefly disrupted production this week, while offering financial incentives to workers who did not participate. The strike began on June 1 at the vast operation, which is operated by China’s CMOC Group Ltd. TFM is one of the world’s largest copper-producing sites, with output reaching approximately 519,000 tons in… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News

Mopani Copper Mines Reaffirms Domestic Processing Strategy as Zambia Grants Copper Export Quotas

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 Constance

Zambia Waives Copper Export Duty as Mopani and Miners Retain Concentrate for Domestic Processing The Zambian subsidiary of Abu Dhabi–based International Resources Holding (IRH) does not intend to export copper concentrate despite receiving one of the largest allocations under a government export waiver. Mopani Copper Mines stated that its position remains unchanged since July, when the first exemptions were introduced. At that time, the company confirmed it had “no plan to export any part” of its allocated quota, instead prioritizing its own processing operations in line with a long-term strategy… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Copper

Copper Prices Slip Again as Mixed Performance Hits Key DRC Mineral Exports

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Constance

Copper, cobalt, and gold prices show mixed trends as DRC export basket weakens amid global metals market correction Copper, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most important export commodity, is expected to extend its downward trend on international markets during the week of June 1–6, 2026, according to the latest official price bulletin for exported mineral products. The benchmark copper price is set at $13,524 per tonne, down from $13,558 the previous week a decrease of $34. Although relatively modest, this marks a second consecutive weekly decline and reinforces a broader… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News Economy

Vedanta Targets New York IPO to Fund Expansion of Zambia’s Konkola Copper Mines

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Constance

Vedanta Plans New York Listing to Finance Multi-Billion-Dollar Expansion of Zambia Copper Operations Vedanta Resources, led by billionaire Anil Agarwal, is seeking to raise fresh capital for its Zambian copper operations through a planned listing in New York, as the mining group accelerates efforts to expand production at one of Africa’s most strategically important copper assets. The proposed initial public offering comes less than two years after Vedanta regained control of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) following a prolonged dispute with the Zambian government. The company has since committed to investing… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Economy

Zambia Extends Copper Export Duty Suspension as Smelter Constraints Reshape Industry Power Balance

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 Constance

Zambia Extends Copper Export Duty Waiver to September as Chinese and Middle Eastern Miners Secure Major Quotas Zambia has extended the suspension of its 10% export duty on copper concentrates until September 30, in a move designed to ease pressure on mining operations affected by rising stockpiles and reduced smelting capacity across the country’s processing infrastructure. The extension comes as several major smelters undergo prolonged maintenance and repair programmes, temporarily constraining the country’s ability to process copper concentrates into refined cathodes. The resulting bottlenecks have led to increased concentrate inventories… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News Economy

KCM Launches Strategic Nchanga Smelter Upgrade to Accelerate Copper Production Growth

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 Constance

KCM Begins 60-Day Nchanga Smelter Shutdown as Part of Ambitious Expansion and Modernization Plan Vedanta Resources-owned Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has commenced a planned 60-day shutdown of its Nchanga Smelter in Zambia to undertake critical maintenance, and refurbishment works aimed at improving operational performance and supporting future production growth. The company announced that the shutdown, which began this month, forms part of a broader modernization strategy designed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and long-term sustainability across its operations. KCM produced 80,215 tonnes of copper in 2025, according to data from Zambia’s… Read More Here

International Copper

Chile Copper Output Drops 13.8% in April as Lower Ore Grades Hit Major Mines

May 30, 2026May 30, 2026 Constance

Chile’s Copper Production Falls Sharply in April Amid Weaker Ore Grades and Output Decline Copper production in Chile, the world’s largest producer of the metal, declined by 13.8% year-on-year in April, according to data released on Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). Output fell to 399,954 metric tons, compared with 464,056 tons recorded in the same month last year. The agency attributed the decline to a high base of comparison and lower ore grades at major mining operations across the country. Chile’s broader industrial activity also weakened during the… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper News in Brief

Trafigura Wins $92 Million Arbitration Award Against Zambia’s ZCCM-IH

May 30, 2026May 30, 2026 Constance

Zambia’s ZCCM-IH Ordered to Pay $92 Million to Trafigura in Copper Dispute Arbitration A London arbitration tribunal has ordered Zambia’s state-linked investment firm, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH), to pay approximately $92 million to global commodity trader Trafigura following a long-running dispute involving a prepayment agreement with Konkola Copper Mines. According to a statement released on the Lusaka Securities Exchange, the award includes $69.3 million in principal, $19.7 million in interest, as well as additional arbitration costs and legal fees in favor of Trafigura. ZCCM-IH said it is currently reviewing… Read More Here

Copper Corporate News International

Panama to Release Final Audit of FQM’s Cobre Panama Mine as Protests Intensify

May 29, 2026May 29, 2026 Constance

Panama Prepares Final Audit on Cobre Panama Mine Amid Renewed Protests and Political Tensions Panama is set to publish the final audit of First Quantum Minerals’ (TSX: FM) suspended Cobre Panama copper mine on Friday, as anti-mining protests resurface and expectations build over the government’s next decision on the operation’s future. Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro confirmed that the third-party audit will be released publicly “with full transparency” once finalized, according to local media outlet La Estrella de Panamá. The audit has now entered its final stage of technical review… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News Investment News

Jubilee Metals Secures $1.5m Investment to Accelerate Zambia Copper Expansion

May 29, 2026May 29, 2026 Constance

Jubilee Metals Advances Molefe Copper Growth Strategy with New Funding Investment Zambia-focused integrated copper producer and resource developer Jubilee Metals, listed on both the AIM and AltX, has secured a $1.5 million unsecured convertible loan note to accelerate development across the greater Molefe region. The investment comes from an undisclosed backer with a strong track record in copper project development, including involvement in Mantos Copper and its subsequent merger with Capstone Copper. Jubilee Metals said the funding reflects strong investor confidence in its copper exploration and mining strategy in Zambia,… Read More Here