Copper Enamelled Wire Industry Operating Rate Rebound Falls Short of Expectations

Queensland and the Australian federal government have launched a A$600 million study aimed at securing the long-term future of the state’s copper industry. The initiative will focus on sustaining operations at the Mount Isa smelter and Townsville refinery while exploring broader industrial growth opportunities. Officials said the plan is designed to strengthen Australia’s critical minerals supply chain resilience and regional employment. Glencore also plans to invest A$2.5 billion in the region over the next six years.

Chile’s government announced on May 14 that Bernardo Fontaine will become the new chairman of state-owned copper giant Codelco. The leadership change comes as the company faces scrutiny over rising debt, budget overruns, and unusual production fluctuations reported late last year. Authorities have ordered an external audit and investigation into recent output inconsistencies. As the world’s largest copper producer, governance changes at Codelco are being closely watched by global copper markets.

In April 2026, the secondary copper rod operating rate was 12.79%, higher than the expected 11.93%, down 1.46 percentage points MoM and 21.1 percentage points YoY. Looking back at the entire month of April, the secondary copper rod market, under the prevailing theme of copper prices fluctuating upward, was mired in structural contradictions triggered by industrial policies,...