Analysis of Global New Copper Concentrate Capacities and the Distribution

SHANGHAI, Jun 17(SMM) - According to SMM statistics, the global copper mines will release up to 164,000 mt (metal content) of new capacity in 2022 (Hydro-copper output has been excluded, the same below). Among them, it is expected that in 2022, the commissioning of Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 in Chile will add 40,000 mt of copper in metal content; the commissioning of Quellaveco in Peru will add 40,000 mt in metal content, and the Udokan copper mine in the Russian Federation will add 30,000 mt in metal content.

In 2022, under the background of the increase of 164,000 mt in metal content brought by the new production of global copper mines, the new production increase in Latin America will account for the largest proportion of 49%, followed by the CIS region, accounting for 18%, and the North American region will account for 15%. The new production increase in Asia accounted for 10%, and finally the new production increase in Africa accounted for 8%.

According to SMM statistics, the expansion of global copper concentrate and the further increase of new mines in production will bring a total of 1.023 million mt in metal content in 2022. The increase in Latin America will account for the largest proportion of 33%, 25% in Asia, 22% in Africa, 12% in the Commonwealth of Independent States, 6% in Europe, and 1% in North America and Oceania.

In 2022, it is expected that the expansion of Asian copper mines and the increase in output of new mines will reach 271,000 mt, mainly because the expansion project of Indonesia's Grasberg Block Cave will bring an increase of 130,000 mt in metal content. It is expected that the Julong Copper Mine of China will add 111,000 mt of copper in metal content.

In 2022, it is expected that the expansion of European copper mines and the increase in output of newly commissioned mines will reach 58,000 mt, mainly because the expansion of the Timok copper mine in Serbia is expected to bring an increase of 48,000 mt in metal content.

In 2022, it is expected that the expansion of copper mines in Latin America and the new mines put into operation will increase output by 337,000 mt. It is expected that Chuquicamata in Chile will contribute an increase of 100,000 mt of copper in metal content, and the expansion of Cerro Verdo copper mine will bring 40,000 mt in metal content. In addition, the Cobre Panama copper mine in Panama, the Mina Justa copper mine in Peru and the Mirador copper mine in Ecuador can all add an increment of 30,000 mt in metal content.

In 2022, it is expected that the expansion of Africa copper mines and the increase in output of new mines will reach 230,000 mt, mainly because the expansion project of the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine in Zambia will release an increase of 180,000 mt in metal content.

In 2022, the expansion of copper mines in the Commonwealth of Independent States and the newly-commissioned mines are expected to increase output by 120,000 mt. According to SMM research, Kaz Minerals' Aktogay in Kazakhstan can add 100,000 mt in metal content this year.