Centinela Copper Mine Workers Approve Strike as Labour Talks Move to Mediation

China's refined copper production growth is expected to slow sharply in 2026 as smelters face tightening copper concentrate and scrap availability alongside weaker sulphuric acid prices, according to foreign media reports. Wood Mackenzie and Zijin Tianfeng Futures expect China's refined copper output to increase by around 3–3.4% in 2026, compared with growth of 10.4% in 2025. Reuters said this would represent the slowest annual growth rate since at least 2000 based on its review of official production data. Refined copper output growth stood at approximately 4% year on year during January-August.​ The slowdown is expected to become more pronounced in the fourth quarter as tighter scrap copper supply adds to the existing shortage of copper concentrate. Reuters reported that a tax crackdown is expected to reduce scrap availability, further limiting smelters' ability to substitute secondary raw materials for concentrate when feedstock conditions tighten.​ Smelter economics have also come under pressure from lower sulphuric acid prices. Sulphuric acid, a major by-product of copper smelting, had previously helped offset extremely low copper concentrate treatment charges. According to Oilchem data cited by Reuters, Chinese sulphuric acid prices declined by around 11% during September.​ Seven Chinese copper smelters are reportedly planning equipment maintenance lasting between 30 and 60 days during October and November. Analysts at Zhuochuang estimate that the planned maintenance could reduce refined copper supply by approximately 80,000 mt.​ The concentrate shortage reflects a broader imbalance between rapidly expanding global smelting capacity and comparatively slower growth in mined copper supply. Recent temporary disruptions at major copper mines including Escondida, Las Bambas and El Teniente have added further pressure to concentrate availability.​ Slower refined copper production growth in China could reduce refined copper supply growth during the fourth quarter, particularly if planned smelter maintenance coincides with continued constraints in concentrate and scrap availability. The simultaneous decline in sulphuric acid prices is also weakening an important source of smelter revenue at a time when treatment charges remain under pressure. Attention will therefore remain on concentrate availability, scrap supply conditions and the scale of planned smelter maintenance during October and November.

Eldorado Gold has completed the permanent grid connection and energization of its Skouries copper-gold mine in northern Greece, marking another key commissioning milestone as the project advances toward commercial production expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The site was successfully energized following final inspection, testing and approval by the Greek transmission authority. Eldorado said the permanent connection to the national grid provides the long-term power infrastructure required to support continued commissioning and ramp-up of processing and mining systems across the operation. The milestone follows the recent achievement of first copper-gold concentrate production at Skouries on September 8. The company is now progressing commissioning and ramp-up activities as it moves toward steady-state operations and commercial production later this year. Skouries is a copper-gold operation being developed using a combination of conventional open-pit and underground mining methods. Based on the company's current mine plan, the operation is expected to produce an average of approximately 67 million lb, or around 30,400 mt, of copper per year over its mine life, alongside approximately 140,000 oz/year of gold. The permanent grid connection is particularly important for the operation of major process systems, including crushing, grinding, flotation, concentrate handling and tailings disposal, which require full site energization as commissioning advances. Completion of permanent grid energization removes an important infrastructure constraint at Skouries and supports the continued ramp-up of the project following first concentrate production earlier in September. With commercial production still targeted for Q4 2026, attention will now turn to the pace of commissioning and the transition toward steady-state operations. Once fully ramped up, Skouries is expected to become a meaningful new source of European copper supply, with average annual copper production of approximately 30,400 mt over the mine life.

Recently, Centinela, a core Antofagasta mine, faced severe labor challenges. On September 28, its Minera Esperanza and Distrito Centinela unions voted 98.73% in favor of a strike over compensation discrepancies, rejecting management's contract offer. As an important associated molybdenum source, Centinela's H1 2026 molybdenum output fell ~17.6% year-on-year to 1,400 tonnes. The strike vote threatens further supply stability. While production continues pending mediation results, the potential impact on operations and long-term project progress requires close monitoring.