Mine and refinery copper production continued to rise during 2011. However, production from large size mines has not increased in the last 10 years and the current increase in production is the result of an increase in smaller size mines. Recent research by Sweden-based Raw Materials Group (RMG) with support from BMEcopper highlights the structural changes and strategic issues facing the global
copper mining industry.

A presentation by RMG sales manager Malin Stein at the 25th International Copper Conference in Hamburg yesterday covered research across topics as diverse as China’s challenge to build levels of mine production as well as the vertical integration of mining companies over the last two decades.

The annual International Copper Conference fosters debate about global industry growth and provides an informative and timely forum, early in the year, to analyse and discuss the key challenges facing copper in 2012.

With Germany producing some 3Mt/y of copper semis and Hamburg home to Europe’s largest producer of cathode, Aurubis, it is the ideal location to bring all segments of the industry chain to the debating table.