Chinese Stainless steel scrap prices gain on 9th June, 2015

Small and medium-sized mining companies in Zambia are continuing to struggle with access to sulphuric acid, with some operators warning that they could suspend operations if shortages persist, according to the United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ). UMUZ President Yosam Nyirongo said miners have been unable to secure consistent supplies of the reagent, which is an important input in copper leaching and processing, placing additional pressure on production and operating costs. Importantly, Nyirongo said no mining companies have officially shut down as a result of the shortage so far, but some members have indicated that continued supply constraints could eventually force closures. Nyirongo attributed part of the pressure on domestic availability to continued sulphuric acid exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and called on the government to prioritize Zambia's domestic requirements before allowing exports. He also raised concerns about intermediaries purchasing acid and reselling it at higher prices, arguing that this was contributing to higher operating costs for smaller mining companies. The union had already raised similar concerns in July, when it called for restrictions on acid exports until domestic demand could be adequately supplied. The latest warning comes amid broader indications that the shortage is already affecting Zambia's smaller copper producers. Recent reporting citing government officials identified limited availability of sulphuric acid as a major factor behind declining copper production among small-scale miners, alongside regulatory-compliance issues. Sulphuric acid is particularly important for operations using leaching-based processing routes, making reliable supply critical for maintaining output at such facilities. The latest warning does not indicate an immediate loss of Zambian copper supply, since no mine closures have yet been confirmed. However, persistent sulphuric acid shortages represent a potential downside risk for smaller leaching operations if producers are unable to obtain sufficient volumes at economically viable prices. Continued competition between domestic consumers and export demand from the DRC could therefore remain an important factor to watch for Zambia's small- and medium-scale copper production.

CrossBoundary Energy’s solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system serving the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached commercial operation and is now supplying 30 MW of firm baseload power to Kamoa Copper. The facility entered commercial operation on August 12, 2026, around 16 months after the power purchase agreement was signed in April 2025. The system combines 233 MWp of solar PV capacity with 123 MVA/526 MWh of battery storage and is designed to provide continuous power at a 95% annual availability factor. During early operations, the solar plant has already delivered more than 150 MW of output, with around 50 MW supplied directly to the mine network and the balance used to charge the battery system, according to CrossBoundary figures cited by Energy-Storage.news. The facility’s maximum expected solar output is around 180 MW, while the battery system enables renewable generation to be stored and dispatched outside daylight hours, supporting the 30 MW round-the-clock power guarantee. The new facility adds another source of reliable electricity to Kamoa-Kakula, which is principally owned by Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining and the DRC government. The operation already relies on hydropower supplied through cooperation with state utility SNEL, while solar-plus-storage is intended to reduce reliance on diesel generation and strengthen the resilience of the mine’s power supply. The start of commercial operation represents an important infrastructure milestone for Kamoa-Kakula, where power reliability remains critical to stable mining and processing. Although the 30 MW firm-power contribution is modest relative to the complex’s overall electricity requirements, the combination of large-scale solar generation and battery storage provides an additional layer of supply security and could reduce exposure to diesel costs and grid-related disruptions.

Southern Copper reported second-quarter net sales of US$4.289 billion, up 40.6% year on year to a record, with first-half sales up 38.4% to US$8.54 billion. Second-quarter net income was US$1.670 billion, up 71.6%, and first-half income rose 69.2%. Copper output was 230,662 tonnes in the quarter, down 3.5% sequentially, and 461,206 tonnes in the half, down 3.8% year on year as Peruvian mines fell about 12%. The company lifted its 2026 copper guidance to 917,000 tonnes from 910,000. The LME copper average was US$6.04 per pound, up 30%.