SHFE Zinc to Consolidate at Highs (2016-9-2)

Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) reported molybdenum production of 3,029 tonnes in June 2026, up 6.5% MoM and 5.4% YoY. H1 output totaled 18,777 tonnes, down 4.5% YoY. Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde produced 943 tonnes in June, up 76.1%, while Anglo American Quellaveco produced 479 tonnes, up 25.6%. Southern Peru Copper Corporation’s output declined 16.0% to 1,065 tonnes. Gains at Cerro Verde and Quellaveco supported the monthly rebound, although cumulative supply remained below last year.

[SMM Copper Social Inventory Flash] As of September 14, SMM copper cathode social inventory across major Chinese regions stood at 90,300 mt, up 5,200 mt WoW from Monday and up 2,800 mt from last Thursday, but down 63,900 mt YoY. In Shanghai, copper prices pulled back notably last Friday. Although downstream buyers actively priced orders, cargo pick-up was not fully realized. Combined with small arrivals of imported and domestic supply, inventory saw some buildup. In Jiangsu, consumption improved on the copper price correction, leading to slight destocking. In Guangdong, with delivery approaching and a wide price spread between futures contracts, suppliers were actively shipping to delivery warehouses. However, after copper prices pulled back on Friday, demand recovered, and inventory also saw slight destocking.

SMM Morning Meeting Minutes: Last Friday evening, LME copper opened at $14,088/mt, rose to an intraday high of $14,359/mt, then pulled back in consolidation, and finally closed at $14,226/mt, up 0.31%. Trading volume reached 27,000 lots, and open interest reached 275,000 lots, an increase of 2,022 lots from the previous trading day, driven by bullish positioning. Last Friday, the most-traded SHFE copper 2610 contract opened at 108,660 yuan/mt, rose to an intraday high of 108,830 yuan/mt in early trading, then drifted lower to an intraday low of 108,350 yuan/mt, and finally closed at 108,440 yuan/mt, down 0.50%. Trading volume reached 37,000 lots, and open interest reached 193,000 lots, a decrease of 5,979 lots from the previous trading day, driven by bullish liquidation.