COPPER SUPPLY PIPELINE, 2007

摘要

Although most analysts agree that there was a refined copper surplus in 2006 after three years of deficits, mine supply has increased much more slowly than would be expected in the environment of high demand and robust prices of the last few years. Lower head grades, labor unrest, and operational failures have largely offset increased production from new mines and mine expansions. The nine mines that began production in the past year have added almost 700,000 mt/y to global copper production capacity, although they only produced 16,000 mt in 2006. Another 17 projects are in preproduction, with startups scheduled from late 2007 to 2010.