SMM Weekly Price Outlook for Base Metals on LME and SHFE (May 22-26, 2017)

Cyclic Materials has officially opened its first U.S. commercial-scale recycling facility in Mesa, Arizona, capable of processing up to 25,000 tonnes of magnet-bearing end-of-life products annually. In addition to recovering rare earth magnets, the facility separates copper, aluminum and steel for reintegration into U.S. manufacturing. More than 7,000 tonnes of feedstock have already been delivered, with first commercial shipments expected later in September. The plant adds a new U.S. recycling route for recovering copper and other critical materials from end-of-life vehicles, electronics and magnet-containing equipment.

Jintian Copper reported that sales of its high-end green recycled copper products jumped 168% YoY in H1 2026. The company has developed a closed-loop recycled copper chain covering collection, purification and downstream processing, with recycled copper now used across copper strip, wire, busbars, magnet wire and tubes. The sharp increase highlights the growing penetration of recycled feedstock into higher-value copper products rather than only conventional secondary applications.

Southern Copper Corporation reported Q2FY2026 molybdenum production of 7,046 tonnes, down 11.0% YoY, with H1FY2026 output falling 6.7% to 14,562 tonnes. Production declined at all four molybdenum-producing mines, with Toquepala down 21.9%, Cuajone down 1.4%, Buenavista down 12.4% and La Caridad down 3.5%. The company attributed the declines primarily to lower ore grades.