Japan’s Furukawa Plans 3% Cut in Second-Half Refined Copper Output

Global molybdenum production was 167.2 mlb (75,841 tonnes) in Q2 2026, down 3% YoY and 1% QoQ, while usage reached 177.5 mlb (80,513 tonnes), up 8% YoY but down 2% QoQ. The direct comparison leaves an apparent quarterly gap of 10.3 mlb (4,672 tonnes). China produced 79.5 mlb (36,061 tonnes), flat YoY and up 1% QoQ; South American output fell 9% YoY and 4% QoQ to 39.9 mlb (18,098 tonnes). China’s usage rose 10% YoY to 90.2 mlb (40,914 tonnes), while US usage increased 12% to 17.1 mlb (7,756 tonnes). The gap does not account for inventories or trade flows.

Vedanta plans to invest about $2.3 billion over the next three to four years to lift copper production above 1 million tonnes by 2030, targeting roughly 500,000 tonnes each in India and Saudi Arabia. Around $2 billion will support integrated Saudi operations, including mining, smelting and copper rod production. Its Saudi rod mill is close to commissioning, while discussions with the government over a new smelter are advanced, with an investment decision expected this quarter. The Economic Times The company is also again pursuing a restart of its 400,000-tpy Tuticorin copper smelter, shut since 2018. Vedanta expects a court decision on its new “green copper” proposal within about three months. If approved, it plans to invest $250 million to refurbish the facility and restart it within 8–9 months, targeting around 250,000 tonnes of annual output with greater use of renewable energy, recycling and upgraded environmental controls. Vedanta also said its Silvassa operation is currently producing at an annualized rate above 245,000 tonnes at roughly 95% capacity.

Pantheon Electric announced on October 1 that recycled copper now accounts for 33% of its company-wide feedstock. At its Leetsdale, Pennsylvania facility, busbar, strip, sheet and plate are produced with 100% recycled copper, with the plant processing more than 100 million lb, or roughly 45,400 tonnes, of copper scrap annually. Construction Newswire The Leetsdale operation uses a reverberatory furnace capable of processing multiple scrap streams, including internal manufacturing scrap and some lower-grade material that would otherwise require prior refining. Copper remaining in the resulting slag is subsequently recovered off-site. Pantheon operates 21 plants across North America and Europe through businesses including International Wire Group and Hussey Copper and says it is continuing to expand recycled-copper capacity. The development highlights scrap becoming a structural feedstock for major U.S. copper fabricators rather than merely a substitute during periods of tight primary supply.