First Quantum Accelerates Cobre Panama Restart Preparations with Stockpile Processing and Workforce Expansion

As of end-June this year, China's installed PV capacity has reached 1.27 billion kW and is expected to surpass coal-fired power installed capacity within the year, becoming China's largest power source. H1 nationwide PV power generation was up over 40% YoY; since the start of summer, PV output during the noon peak period has already accounted for one third of the total.

Rio Tinto reported underlying earnings of US$6.85 billion for the first half of 2026, up 43% year-on-year and the highest first-half result in four years. Driven by electrification, artificial intelligence and energy transition demand, its copper and aluminum businesses together contributed about 56% of group profits, surpassing iron ore for the first time. Copper EBITDA rose 84% year-on-year to US$5.7 billion, while iron ore EBITDA declined 1% to US$6.8 billion. The company said higher copper production, stronger commodity prices and productivity improvements were the key drivers of earnings growth. Rio Tinto also reported that productivity initiatives generated approximately US$870 million in benefits during the first half and remain on track to deliver annualized gains of US$1.8 billion by year-end. The company maintained its 2026 production guidance and declared an interim dividend of US$2.11 per share, its highest interim payout in four years. The miner added that it expects to achieve around half of its previously announced US$5–10 billion portfolio optimization target by the end of this year, while acknowledging uncertainties surrounding its 2030 emissions reduction target.