Rio Tinto Halts Kennecott Copper Mine Operations After Worker Fatality, Awaits Investigation

At the construction site of Liangshan Copper Industry's 125,000-tonne-per-year copper cathode refining project, 96% of the main works have been completed, and key equipment has been commissioned. It is expected that copper cathode will be produced by the end of March. The project has a total investment of approximately 1 billion yuan. Upon operation, it is planned to produce 125,000 tonnes of high-purity copper cathode annually, with an annual output value reaching 8.8 billion yuan.

Since March 4, 2026, secondary copper rod has shifted to a premium of 200-400 yuan/mt against the most-traded futures contract. Meanwhile, the price difference between copper cathode rod and secondary copper rod narrowed sharply from around 1,200 yuan/mt to about 300 yuan/mt

Canada-based First Quantum Minerals will sell its Çayeli mine in Turkey to Cengiz Holding for $340 million in cash as part of its portfolio optimization strategy.Cengiz Holding will acquire the underground copper-zinc mine through its subsidiary CengizInsaat.First Quantum Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall said, "The sale reflects the company's disciplined approach to portfolio management while focusing on its core strategic priorities."The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in Q2 or Q3 of this year.