21
Feb

In what is being regarded as the first major African mining play by a Chinese company, China’s Minmetals Resources succeeded Friday in closing its $1.3 billion bid for copper miner Anvil Mining. stone crusher exporter and supplier in India
Hong Kong-listed Minmetals was offering $8 a share for Anvil, whose key asset is the Kinsevere mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After the acquisition, Kinsevere is expected to produce 60,000 tonnes of copper cathode a year, from 16,000 tpa in 2010. The mine is expected to have about a 14-year life.
The deal between Minmetals and Anvil nearly unravelled back in November over contractual arrangements between Anvil and DRC state-owned mining body Gecamines, but Gecamines last week confirmed Anvil’s title to the Kinsevere and the Mutoshi copper and cobalt projects were valid and in good standing. gold mining equipments business plan
Minmetals had previously offered $6.3 billion for Vancouver-based Equinox Resources, which also mines copper in Africa, but was outbid by Barrick Gold in one of the biggest acquisitions of 2011.
“We bid for Equinox, now we’ve got Anvil, so we’re interested in that part of the world,” Minmetals CEO Andrew Michelmore said Friday. “We like that prospectivity.”
Richard Poplak, reporting in The Daily Maverick, comments on the significance of the Minmetals-Anvil takeover:
    It represents Minmetals entry into the African market – and while fellow Chinese miner Jinchuan Group Co. outbid Brazil’s Vale for South Africa-listed Metorex Ltd last year, this is the deal that seems to signal the tipping point. The Chinese have, officially, arrived. kenyan crusher for sale
Indeed, Chinese companies have been anxious to secure copper supply anywhere the red metal is plentiful, including the central African copper belt. With the country consuming 40% of the world’s copper’s supply to feed an economy that, while coming off the boil recently, is still projected to grow 6-7% this year, it is not surprising to see Chinese companies in an acquiring mood.
Reuters reported Michelmore saying that Minmetals, a unit of China’as biggest metals trader, will continue to look for deposits of copper, zinc and nickel in Africa, North and South America, parts of Asia and Australia:

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    “For something close to production in construction phase it’s that $1-$7 billion range,” he said, when asked how much Minmetals could spend on further acquisitions.

20
Feb

SRINAGAR, Feb 19: Wild price swings caused by a volatile rupee sapped Indian buying interest in gold in the fourth quarter of 2011, with imports well short of expectations and no pick up expected this year, dropping it behind China for the first time.
India’s gold imports in the last quarter of 2011, traditionally peak consumption season, fell 44 percent to 157 tonnes, although total imports last year rose 1.1 percent to a record high of 969 tonnes, stone crusher the World Gold Council said on Thursday.
Indians are usually the biggest buyers of gold in the world and from October to December, the calendar is full of festivals and weddings, creating many opportunities for people to flaunt their finery.
But the country’s fourth-quarter imports figure came short of a previous forecast of more than 281 tonnes.
China’s gold consumption stood at a higher 190.9 tonnes between October and December, compared to 173 tonnes in India during the same period.
“The rapid rise and fall in the rupee, and resulting domestic gold price swings had a strong impact on gold buying with both jewellery and investment demand in H2 lower by around 33 percent,” the WGC said in a quarterly research report.
Gold prices rallied for the most of last year as safe-haven demand surged on the euro zone crisis and U.S. debt ceiling negotiations, among other factors, to a record in September before correcting sharply in the last quarter of the year.
Prices in India touched record highs too. jaw crusher and crushing machine
The most-active gold contract on the Multi Commodity Exchange hit a record high of 29,516 rupees per 10 grams in mid-November, or about $1,813 an ounce. It traded at 28,162 rupees per 10 grams by 0927 GMT.
Spot gold peaked at $1,920.30 in early September, and was last quoted at $1,717.6 an ounce.
India’s imports are likely to stay flat this year and China may eclipse India as the world’s biggest gold consumer on an annual basis as well, the WGC said.
“Gold demand (in India) in 2012 is likely to remain steady. There are many things that influence demand. Right now, I don’t see a big change in demand,” Ajay Mitra, managing director of India and the Middle East at the World Gold Council, told reporters. quarry business plan

Factors including the fluctuation in the rupee, overseas gold prices and government policy will influence India’s gold demand, he added.
The Indian currency had plunged nearly 16 percent last year to hit a record low of 54.30 and was the worst performing Asian unit against the dollar.
A smaller number of auspicious days for weddings in 2012 will temper gold jewellery demand to some degree, he added.
The average gold price in India in 2011 was 23,620 rupees per 10 grams, up 31 percent compared to the previous year, Mitra said.
Though prices are still hovering near record levels, Mitra thinks lofty prices are unlikely to dent demand in 2012.
“Indians have faith in gold. If you see returns in rupee terms, gold mining equipment for sale in south africa for the past three year it is giving more than 20 percent return every year,” said Mitra.
Though India’s short-term demand outlook may look lacklustre, the country still has the potential for future growth in gold consumption, officials from the WGC said.
“On India, I think near-term it may have peaked with a flat year in prospect of tonnage, but medium-term the India growth, wealth and urbanisation story is intact and we expect new highs in demand,” Marcus Grubb, WGC managing director, investment, said.

14
Feb

13 February 2012 – Mining companies’ concerns over electricity supply in South Africa are fuelling a drive towards self-sufficiency, with some mines on the point of investing in their own power generation facilities. “The feasibility studies have been completed and the first of such projects, using alternative technologies such as wind power and heat conversion, have commenced” says Dave Walker, corporate mining, energy law specialist and director at Werksmans Attorneys. gold mining equipment plans

He believes that both the technology and the timing are ripe for mines to start reducing their reliance on Eskom, along with their carbon footprints. “Prior to the 2008 electricity crisis, self-provision was seen to be prohibitively expensive and risky, but that is changing. There is a better local understanding of the available technologies and, because of Eskom tariff increases, alternative strategies are now seen to be more affordable.”

Walker says that until recently, the manufacturers of wind turbines, commercial solar plants and other alternative energy technologies did not see South Africa as a viable market. “No independent companies were considering any large scale electricity investments and there were no economies of scale to leverage, hence manufacturers of smaller power generation facilities were quoting prices loaded for low volumes and related risks. South Africa has become a viable and sustainable market, with scope for reduced prices.”

The upsurge of interest in alternative energy sources among South African mining and industrial players is attributable to three main factors. “First, the electricity crisis of 2008 forced companies in general to look around for ways to reduce their electricity consumption and their dependence on Eskom,” he says. “Second, everyone is feeling the pinch of the national utility’s year-on-year electricity rate hikes. crusher machine for sale in South Africa And third, there is huge pressure on companies everywhere to reduce their carbon footprints by using renewable energies such as wind or solar power.”

The mining sector, although not currently experiencing a power crisis, is leading the charge towards greater self-reliance, says Walker. “Mines were severely affected by the 2008 crisis, when their dependence on one supplier was starkly highlighted. There is no immediate crisis now but the mines are well aware that, because of their heavy consumption, Eskom will look at them first for electricity savings in the event of a supply crunch.”

As a result, the bigger mines particularly are actively exploring other power supply options. “For those with furnaces or smelters, heat conversion projects could make good business sense,” he says, referring to the conversion of heat from furnaces into energy. “Other attractive options that some mines are considering include wind power and various forms of solar power, which are quick to get up and running. There are also companies looking at coal power, although these strategies can be costly and difficult to implement.”

Supplier diversification will also help mines secure their power supply, Walker says. “Government has implemented mechanisms to bring independent power producers on board. The good news is that legal processes aimed at facilitating investments by independent power producers are under way and a great deal of progress has been made.”

Independent power producers must be satisfied that they will be able to compete effectively with Eskom,” he says. stone crasher “The final hurdle to be overcome is allowing them to operate without being required to sell their electricity to Eskom, or negotiate with Eskom for access to its electricity distribution network.”

To overcome this stumbling block, the plan is to carve the distribution network out from Eskom and put it in the hands of an independent agency, probably a state-owned entity. Eskom and other producers would then sell their power to the independent agency at agreed tariffs and on an arm’s length basis, thereby ensuring a level playing field.

“We don’t yet know when the new distribution model will be 100% up and running but government has realised that there is a need to diversify electricity generation by facilitating the introduction of alternate electricity producers,” says Walker. “This, together with the investments that some mining companies are considering in their own power plants, should reduce the risk of the mining industry (and the country as a whole) being left in the dark again.” how to start  a quarry business plan in Africa

13
Feb

The Miami Dolphins are once again scouring the Canadian Football League, looking for players to add to the roster. They appear close to competing a deal with Edmonton Eskimos running back Jerome Messam, adding depth to the running back position.

Messam is the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian Player, given to the best native Canadian each year. Messam rushed for 1,057 yards and six touchdowns this past season in Edmonton, becoming just the third Canadian rusher since 1965 to rush for over 1,000 yards.

According to an Edmonton Journal report, Messam agreed to the deal last night. gold prospecting machine

Star-divide

    “Yes, it’s true. Jeff Ireland (Dolphins general manager) phoned me late afternoon and said they had decided to offer Jerome a contract, but their proposal would not include a signing bonus,” Edmonton Eskimos General Manager Eric Tillman said.

    “We weren’t positive that proposal would be accepted, but in the past couple of hours, Darren Gill, Jerome’s agent, confirmed they had discussed the situation and would be accepting the offer from Miami.

    “Obviously, Jerome departs with our best wishes and our focus immediately shifts to free agency as a terrific opportunity to improve our club in the coming days.” crushing plant

Messam’s playing is similar to Dolphins’ restricted free agent Lex Hilliard. Hilliard was utilized as a short yardage rusher and a fullback by Miami this year, and the 6-foot, 3-inch, 245 pound Messam could fill that role if MIami does not re-sign Hilliard.

Messam does have a troubled, off-the-field reputation,crusher machine pakistan and middle east including an incident where he broke a teammate’s jaw in a locker room fist fight. He has been suspended by the CFL on two separate occasions.

Adding Messam to the roster would bring the Dolphins’ depth chart to four at the running back position. Currently, the Dolphins have starting running back Reggie Bush, backup Daniel Thomas, who just completed his rookie season, and Richard Medlin, who spent the majority of the 2011 season on the practice squad, before being activated near the end of the year to provide depth at the position.

The Dolphins have previously signed starting outside linebacker Cameron Wake from the CFL, as well as signing Marcus Thigpen earlier this offseason to a futures contract.

The deal to bring Messam to Miami is not yet complete, and is still pending Messam passing a physical. He is expected to be offered a contract of around $390,000 for 2012, with no signing bonus. stone crusher manufacturer

10
Feb

Energizer Resources Inc. provides an update on the development of its 100% wholly-owned Green Giant vanadium project located in Madagascar.
Two Tranches of Non-brokered Private Placement Completed
As previously announced in its February 2, 2011 and February 9, 2011 press releases, the Company has completed two tranches of its non-brokered private placement totaling U.S.$12,402,745. gold mining tools With these funds, the Company is well capitalized as it moves forward with its National Instrument 43-101 preliminary economic assessment, which will include advanced metallurgical test work to further optimize the process flow sheet developed from test work completed in 2010 by SGS Lakefield.
Metallurgy – up to 82% vanadium recovery
The Company is providing the following summary regarding the unique characteristics of the Green Giant vanadium deposit and the resulting metallurgy test results to date to provide greater clarification:
– the geology of the Green Giant deposit is unlike most of the vanadium
mines currently in operation or scheduled to come into production in the
near term – the Green Giant vanadium is sediment-hosted, in contrast to
the magnetite-hosted deposits, and as a result, the metallurgical
process for the Green Giant project is expected to be different and the
project is expected to produce high purity vanadium pentoxide used in
both the steel and battery industries
– metallurgical test work conducted to date by SGS Lakefield in Canada and
Mintec Laboratories in South Africa have extracted up to 82% vanadium in
a clean liquor using a pre-roast and alkaline pressure leaching process
– given its unique geology, physical beneficiation (or upgrading) of the
vanadium-bearing ore is not an essential component of the process flow
sheet – in fact, based on internal economic analysis, even without
physical beneficiation, the operating costs of our Green Giant project
is expected to be comparable to the magnetite-hosted vanadium producers. jaw crusher mining equipment
George Annandale, a world-renowned vanadium expert, and consultant to the Company, said, “Armed with the promising results from the metallurgical test work conducted by SGS Lakefield, I am confident that we will be able to optimize the conditions of the pre-roast and alkaline pressure leaching process to further enhance the economics of the project. portable and crawler crusher The Green Giant project is well on its way to becoming one of the world’s largest producers of vanadium.”
Taking Advantage of Infrastructure Synergies
Given the nature and location of the Green Giant vanadium project, the infrastructure needs of the project can be met with a combination of upgrading of existing infrastructure, which consists of existing secondary roads and operational ports, and the build-out of site-specific infrastructure such as power generation. However, given the progress of the nearby Sakoa coal project, the Green Giant project is poised to benefit from any infrastructure enhancements that may be made by the coal project whereby further enhancing the economics of the Green Giant vanadium project. quarry crusher in kenya
The Company was recently informed that the operators of the Sakoa coal project have sent out requests for proposals for the construction of the project. The Company will continue its dialogue with the operators of the coal project to determine what infrastructure synergies may be available which would further enhance the economics of the Green Giant vanadium project.
About the Green Giant Vanadium Project
The Green Giant vanadium project, located in Madagascar, is 100% owned by Energizer. The Company has a National Instrument 43-101 compliant indicated resource estimate of 49.5 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.693% vanadium pentoxide (“V2O5″) containing 756.3 million pounds of V2O5 and an inferred resource of 9.7 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.632% V2O5 containing 134.5 million pounds of V2O5. stone crusher machine for sale With this resource estimate, the Green Giant deposit currently ranks as the third largest known vanadium deposit in the world, with 75% of the 21-kilometre (18 mile) stratigraphic trend of vanadium remaining open for drilling.

09
Feb

Wednesday market sentiment was jittered by the never-ending Greek debt negotiations story. Main indices recovered some of the ground lost earlier in the morning but some of them were still low in the afternoon session. jaw crusher mining machine

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 17.98 points or -0.14% to 12,860; the Nasdaq Index recovered and marched into green territory scoring a 2.06-point gain or +0.07% to 2906.14. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index was slightly lower (-0.23%) at 1659.460.

The Euro/USD Index moved slightly up in afternoon trading (+0.04%) to 1.3265.

Precious metals also recovered some of the lost ground: Gold processing machine Gold was at $1734.0 but still down $10.80 (-0.63%) and silver was at $33.780, down $0.37 (-0.9%).

The stock slide continued for Nevsun Resources Ltd (TSX: NSU) as the company is still reeling from yesterday’s announcement of lower gold content in their Bisha pit, Eritrea. The stock was down 4.55% to $4.20 on top of yesterday’s 30% loss.

Another loser was South Africa-focused Great Basin Gold (AMEX: GBG), which droppped 4.76% to $1.01. The company released a preliminary December quarterly update indicating that the company missed production targets at both their Nevada and South African operations.

Thompson Creek Metals Company (NYSE: TC) announced the start of commercial production at its new mill at the Endako primary molybdenum mine in British Columbia, Canada. The stock went up 1.98% to $9.29.

Yukon Nevada Gold Corp.’s  (OTC: YNGFF) investors downgraded the company’s stock  a healthy 5.75% due to the company announcing that it has entered into a $20 million Forward Gold Purchase Agreement with Deutsche Bank that would see the company delivering 27,950 ounces of gold over a 43-month term at $716 per ounce.
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In other news the press is reporting that Rio Tinto is looking at processing the higher-grade Husab uranium ore at its nearby Rossing mine located in Namibia. A partnership to develop the Husab uranium into a successful mining operation is not out of the question.

In 2011, the US power sector’s thermal coal consumption declined 4%. The EIA estimated that this year’s consumption would decline another 2%.

The January 2012 U.S. mining employment gained 13.4% while the overall average was a mere 1.5% increase. stone crusher exporter

08
Feb

7 February 2012 – According to South Africa’s National Planning Minister, Trevor Manuel, the country will not be hitting mining companies with any surprise new taxes. While Manuel hesitated to leave his statements at that, he did hint that there may be adjustments to existing codes on the industry, and reiterated he importance of sensible taxation to extract rent from the industry and direct that investment back into South Africa’s development and gold mining beneficiation plant.

“I don’t think that surprises are good for an industry like this and this is likely to be the trend taken by government in introducing change,” Manuel told delegates at a mining conference in Cape Town.

From a tax perspective, companies traded outside of South Africa can breath a sigh of relief, as there had been rumblings of possible changes coming against their interests. Still on the horizon is the study commissioned by South Africa’s ruling African National Congress on whether or not the country should nationalize its mines crusher dust crusher machine.

Local media reports have tipped the hand that the study will most likely reject nationalization and come out in favour of higher taxes and royalties, which appears contrary to Manuel’s position. However, Manuel insists that should any tax changes arise, a long-term view will be taken and changes will be implemented slowly, so as not to shock the system.

The timing of the news comes perfectly for Vancouver-based Great Basin Gold, which today released an operational update on its properties, including the Burnstone Mine, 50 miles southeast of Johannesburg, South Africa. A steady increase of recovered gold for the mine showed that the work being done to increase ore development meters by 4%, while decreasing waste development meters per quarter decreased 48% from Q1 2011 effective. The goal, as stated by the company’s latest presentation pegs a targeted production of 254,000 gold ounces, with a mine life of 25 years.
 
And while there are plenty of notable mining giants in the region, such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and DeBeers, the field contains plenty of other players that can be tracked on North American indices. Outside of gold, other entities include platinum production and rare earth production among other metals worth looking at kenya crushers .

Currently mining platinum group metals, Anooraq Resources announced last week a restructure, recapitalization and refinancing transaction for its companies aimed at increasing platinum group metal (PGM) production at its Bokoni Platinum Mine. Previously deferred until after 2020, the new structure sees the Mine receive an anticipated boost of needed capital (to the tune of US$325 million) through a new capital development programme designed to add 100,000 PGM ounces per annum by 2016.

Through some shuffling and dealing off of its undeveloped properties, Anooraq’s focus shifts primarily to production moving forward unfettered allegedly without major tax shifting coming down the pipe.

Another platinum producer of note to look at in South Africa is Eastern Platinum, with production at its Crocodile River mine, and another on the way in 2012. So far the company has shown its ability to produce PGMs at a rate of 130,000 oz per annum (in 2010), with significant growth potential to 160,000 ounces per annum planned by 2014 in quarry business plan making in india.

Based out of Saskatchewan, Great Western Minerals accurately saw the South African government being pro-development and moved forward with its Steenkampskraal Mine in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Owning 74% of the mine designed for Rare Earth Extraction through the production of monazite. A series of steps taken by GWG were designed to “fast track” the project into launching during the first quarter of 2013, after suitable refurbishment of the historical mine site the new Steenkampskraal design is supplanting. The company reported that it had successfully carried out the first full-scale melt with its newly acquired furnace, with the first pour ceremoniously being undertaken on January 27, 2012.

The news comes with some caveats, but the overall outlook for South African miners is that of relief that no big shocks are on the horizon. The result will be a safer playing field in which to operate, and to hit future targets without a significant fear of nationalization or major tax hits to come.

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07
Feb

Downer EDI Limited (Downer) today announced it has been awarded a six year magnetite mining contract with Karara Mining Limited (KML) for the provision of services at the Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia. stone crusher supplier

KML is an incorporated joint venture between Gindalbie Metals Limited and Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corporation (AnSteel), China’s second largest steel producer.

The contract commences this month and has a total estimated value of approximately $570 million. It is a fixed and variable schedule of rates contract which includes a rise and fall mechanism for changes in crusher cost.

Downer will establish the mine infrastructure and provide services including drill and blast, and load and haul of waste and ore.

New capital expenditure required for the project will be approximately $92 million. This will be funded primarily through operating cash flow and new finance and operating leases. Approximately $41 million of capital expenditure will be required in the 2012 financial year. Mining equipment manufacturer This amount was included in the capital outlook budget of $400 million provided as part of Downer’s 2011 full year results announcement.

The Chief Executive Officer of Downer, Grant Fenn, said the contract would enhance Downer Mining’s exposure to the expanding iron ore sector and also increase its geographical presence inWestern Australia. crusher machine

“We look forward to working with Karara Mining over the next six years to deliver this critical component of the Karara Iron Ore Project,” Mr Fenn said.

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06
Feb

South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress, appears to be moving away from nationalization of the mining industry to reassure foreign investors but is considering other plans to increase state involvement in the sector, mining equipment manufacturer particularly with regard to platinum.
According to the New Age paper the ANC report stressed that nationalization would be unaffordable, as the government would need to raise R1 trillion ($125 billion), more than its entire budget, to buy out listed mining companies:
The proposals included a 50% tax on the sale of mining rights to prevent speculation. A windfall tax of up to 50% on super-profits, defined as a return on investment of 22%, was also included. However, the royalty tax would be reduced from four to one percent. stone crusher
Platinum, a strategic mineral, would be nationalised via “targeted interventions”, while the government would participate in the industry to a much greater extent, the weekly reported.
However, the royalty tax would be reduced from four to 1%.
Firebrand Julius Malema (pictured), the leader of the youth wing of the ANC which often acts as kingmaker in the country’s politics, spearheaded the campaign to seize mines, mining business plan farms and banks last year.
Malema is never far from headlines in the country with racially charged comments but an anti-corruption police unit is probing his business dealings and last week his suspension from the ANC for “bringing the organization into disrepute” over an unrelated matter was upheld.
A closely watched survey by the Fraser Institute shows South Africa’s appeal for mining investment has declined dramatically since 2006.
In 2006 South Africa was ranked 37th out of 64 countries and territories. Gold Mining Equipment The country’s position has declined since then and its 2010 ranking was 67th in an expanded survey of 79 countries and territories.
The mining sector in South Africa contributes 9.6% to GDP and employs 3.1% of the country’s labour force. In 2010 the sector contributed 15.3% of country’s exports. crusher costSee More:

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محطة كسارة للبيع في الإمارات العربية المتحدة

محطم الصانع

31
Oct

Copper wrapped up its biggest weekly rally in more than 30 years on a quiet note on Friday, with traders putting a 14-per cent rally on pause to see whether macro pressures will reemerge in the coming week.

Fed by investor optimism toward Europe’s initiatives taken this week to tackle its regional debt crisis, crusher cost signs of Chinese purchases, and escalating supply threats at the world’s No. 2 mine, copper prices surged over $US1,000a tonne this week — the metal’s biggest weekly charge in almost 32 years.

But copper bulls were a bit hesitant to chase prices much further on the last trading day of the week, with some opting to cash in on the strength after a weak sale of Italian bonds on Friday revealed that investor confidence in the agreement remained shaky.

“All that can be said about the EU bailout is that market expectations were very low and the politicians beat those expectations,” said Justin Lennon, analyst with Mitsui Bussan in New York.

“The plan is a bit short on details and economically, mining business plan the EU is still contracting.”

London Metal Exchange (LME) three-month copper peaked at a five-week high at $US8,280 per tonne, before ending the day with a $US30 gain at $US8,175.

In New York, the benchmark December COMEX contract rose 1.40 US cents to settle at $US3.7060 per lb, near the upper end of its $US3.6155 to $3.75 session range.

Copper has been one of the more volatile markets since the start of the month and quarter: sinking to its lowest in more than a year at $US6,635 in London and below $US3 in New York on October 3, before staging a more than 20-per cent reversal in the weeks since.

As prices have snapped back, open interest has grown as well, signaling that new long positions have been built up during the move.

“I think copper is going too far too fast at this point,” warned Bill O’Neill, quarry crusher machine partner of LOGIC Advisors in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

“We are bullish long-term on copper but not to have a rally of this magnitude so quickly.”

Volumes slowed down as the volatile trading week came to a close.

A little more than 51,000 lots were traded late in New York, nearly 20 per cent below the 30-day norm, according to Thomson Reuters preliminary data.

Investors are betting on a recovery in demand for industrial metals and energy, after data showed the US economy expanded at its fastest pace in a year in the third quarter.

On Friday, a survey showed US consumer sentiment improved in October for the second month in a row as consumers felt more upbeat about the economy’s prospects.

“The US data which was soft in August and September has been strong the entire month of October. The market, which was trading on the possibility of a US recession, is having to price that out entirely,” said an analyst at a category one LME firm. stone crushing plant

On China, which accounts for about 40 per cent of the world’s copper demand, he noted: “Chinese data is still reasonably solid. I struggle to see where the softening Chinese economy is. It’s not in the data.”

Copper prices were also underpinned by this week’s declaration of force majeure on some concentrate sales from Freeport-McMoRan’s strike-hit Grasberg mine in Indonesia — the world’s second-largest copper mine.

Output from the world’s largest copper mine, Chile’s Escondida, fell 25.3 per cent in the January-September period due to lower ore grades and a two-week strike in the third quarter, its operator said on Friday.

Confirming improving demand for copper, inventories at warehouses monitored by the LME fell for a sixth consecutive day, by 2,300 tonnes to 432,375 tonnes, data showed.

Copper stocks have fallen by about eight per cent this month. Material for next-day delivery has been getting harder to come by and is trading at a discount of only $US2.50 to the three-month benchmark contract – its narrowest since March. mineral mining machine