[South32 starts FY27 with 11% rise in Sierra Gorda copper output]

Published: Oct 20, 2026 09:10 (GMT+8)

Save

South32 opened FY27 with an 11% rise in copper production at Sierra Gorda, driven by higher grades, and a record 153 million USD quarterly distribution from the Chilean operation; group-wide guidance was maintained. A fourth grinding line is now under construction and should lift processing capacity by 25%. Manganese output rose 14% on easier Australian wet weather and better South African underground productivity. At Cannington, lower paste-backfill availability cut mining rates, partly offset by lower-grade stockpiles. The US Hermosa zinc-lead-silver project reached a key federal permitting milestone. Shareholders approved the aluminium sale to Alcoa, due to close in the June 2027 half. Net cash was 297 million USD, up 14 million USD.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

2 mins ago

China's Copper Wire and Cable Exports Surge 32.94% YoY in September 2026

[Latest GACC data] According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs (GACC), China's copper wire and cable exports in September 2026 reached 165,900 mt, up 15.17% MoM and up 32.94% YoY. From January to September 2026, cumulative copper wire and cable exports totaled 1.2258 million mt, up 17.69% YoY. (HS: 85444921, 85444929, 85446012, 85446013, 85446014, 85446019, 85446090)

2 mins ago

11 mins ago

China's Copper Wire Rod Exports Surge 27.51% MoM, 92% YoY in September 2026

[Latest data from the General Administration of Customs] In September 2026, China's total exports of copper wire rod reached 26,700 mt, up 27.51% MoM and up 92% YoY. From January to September 2026, cumulative exports reached 238,000 mt in physical content, up 81.11% YoY. Exports of refined copper wire with a maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeding 6mm were 13,800 mt, up 33.14% MoM and up 114.32% YoY. Monthly exports of other refined copper wire were 12,900 mt, up 21.99% MoM and up 58.24% YoY. (HS codes: 74081100, 74081900)

11 mins ago

15 mins ago

[Copper seen as energy transition's biggest bottleneck: GEM Mining]

GEM Mining Consulting scores six minerals on volume pressure, technological breadth, mitigation rigidity and supply-chain fragility. Copper ranks first on its Systemic Bottleneck Index at 72.8/100, ahead of lithium at 60.8. Its use across grids, renewables, EVs, buildings, industry and data centres means constraints can propagate widely; with a refined market of tens of millions of tonnes a year, a similar percentage gap needs far more projects, capital, infrastructure and permits. MinEx Consulting's Richard Schodde says new copper deposit discoveries halved over the past decade after grassroots exploration funding fell 60%, while JPMorgan projects a 330,000-tonne deficit. Long mine lead times require faster exploration, mine development and processing capacity.

15 mins ago