Pantheon Electric Recycled Copper Feedstock Share to 33%, Leetsdale Plant Processes Over 45,000 Tonnes of Scrap Annually

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.

Poland’s KGHM announced on October 1 that it has completed the largest maintenance and modernization shutdown in the history of its Głogów copper smelter ahead of schedule. The work covered the entire main technological line at Głogów II, including the flash furnace and associated installations, following a planned shutdown that began in late June. TradingView The modernization will extend the interval between major shutdowns at Głogów II from four to five years, improving reliability, efficiency and smelting costs. KGHM’s 2026 budget targets around 589,000 tonnes of electrolytic copper production, with the planned Głogów II outage already incorporated into that guidance. Completion of the overhaul therefore removes a temporary production constraint at one of Europe’s important copper smelting operations.