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Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has restarted mining operations at its Chingola B Mine in Zambia, bringing the previously dormant operation back into production as part of the company's wider expansion programme across its Nchanga and Konkola operations.​ Chingola B, which forms part of the Nchanga mining complex, is projected to produce more than 200,000 mt of ore per month, compared with around 60,000 mt/month before its closure. The additional mine output is expected to increase ore feed available to KCM's processing operations.​ KCM Group Chief Executive Officer Deshnee Naidoo said the restart forms part of the company's broader programme to increase production across its operations and will add production at Nchanga underground. According to Naidoo, Chingola B is expected to contribute another 200,000 mt/month of ore as the company rebuilds its mining operations.​ The restart comes as KCM targets annual copper production of 300,000 mt by 2030. The company said its expansion programme is supported by more than US$1 billion of investment from Vedanta Resources across its operations.​ The development also comes amid Zambia's broader target of increasing national copper production to 3 million mt/year by 2031. KCM said the reactivation of dormant assets such as Chingola B is expected to contribute to efforts to increase domestic mine supply.​ The restart of Chingola B could strengthen ore availability across KCM's Nchanga operations, with planned output of more than 200,000 mt/month representing a substantial increase from the approximately 60,000 mt/month reported before closure. The additional mine feed is particularly relevant following KCM's recent rehabilitation and restart of the Nchanga Smelter. However, the 200,000 mt/month figure refers to ore production rather than contained or refined copper output, meaning the ultimate contribution to KCM's copper production will depend on ore grades, recoveries and processing performance. Progress at Chingola B will therefore be an important component of KCM's wider target of reaching 300,000 mt/year of copper production by 2030.

BHP's Escondida copper mine in Chile has begun progressively resuming operations following a temporary suspension after a fatal accident involving a worker performing maintenance activities at the operation.​ The incident occurred on September 23, prompting Escondida to suspend operations while emergency procedures and initial assessments were carried out. BHP subsequently said operations were being progressively resumed, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident continued.​ Escondida is one of the world's largest copper operations and produces both copper concentrate and cathode. BHP holds a 57.5% interest in the mine, while Rio Tinto owns 30% and Japan Escondida Corporation (JECO) holds the remaining 12.5%.​ The temporary interruption comes as Escondida is also undergoing separate collective bargaining negotiations with its unionised supervisors. The supervisors' union is scheduled to vote between September 28 and September 30 on BHP's latest contract offer, with union leadership recommending that members reject the proposal. The labour negotiations are separate from the September 23 accident and subsequent operational suspension.​ If the offer is rejected, the collective bargaining process could move toward further mediation and potentially strike action. However, no strike has begun and no production impact from the labour negotiations has been reported at this stage. The progressive resumption of operations at Escondida reduces the immediate supply risk created by the temporary suspension, although the extent and timing of a return to normal operating levels remain important to monitor. Meanwhile, the ongoing supervisors' collective bargaining process represents a separate potential operational risk. Attention will turn to the September 28–30 vote and any subsequent negotiations, while the copper market will also monitor Escondida's production recovery following the temporary shutdown.

[SMM Analysis: Global Copper Scrap Offers Decline in Both Volume and Quality—Why Are Payabilities Still Flat?] Global copper scrap payabilities remain elevated and stable as overseas offers decline in both volume and quality. Tight availability supports prices, while high copper prices, weak margins and rising working-capital needs cap further gains. SMM expects subdued holiday trading and limited short-term movement in payabilities.