SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Last Friday night, LME copper opened at $12,157.5/mt and dipped to $12,106/mt at the start of the session, then fluctuated upward to $12,246.5/mt. Later, the center of copper prices gradually moved lower and finally closed at $12,141/mt, up 0.17%, with trading volume at 15,500 lots and open interest at 295,000 lots, down 991 lots from the previous trading day. Last Friday night, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 95,080 yuan/mt and touched a low of 95,040 yuan/mt at the start of the session, then the center of copper prices gradually moved higher to 95,880 yuan/mt. Later, it fluctuated downward and finally closed at 95,490 yuan/mt, down 0.22%, with trading volume at 42,900 lots and open interest at 185,500 lots, down 1,897 lots from the previous trading day, mainly due to long liquidation.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) has begun the environmental permitting process for a $7.5 billion expansion of its majority owned El Abra copper mine in ChileThe project, owned 51% by Freeport and 49% by state-owned Codelco, is the largest mining investment submitted to Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) since at least 1992. The plan includes a new concentrator, a desalination plant, a water pumping system, expanded mine infrastructure and continued leaching. Production is expected to begin in 2033 if regulators approve the project, Diario Financiero reported.

Chile’s state-owned copper giant Codelco has reported a sharp drop in production to start this year, leading copper industry analysts and former Codelco executives to question its reports of surging output at the end of 2025 that helped the company meet its annual production target.

Codelco has signed an agreement with Microsoft to explore the use of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and automation in mining operations. The partnership aims to improve operational efficiency, enhance decision-making and strengthen cybersecurity systems. Analysts say digital technologies are increasingly transforming traditional mining operations.

This month, Rio Tinto stated during its earnings conference call that with all its owned projects progressing as planned, the company's lithium production capacity is expected to reach 200,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually by 2028. The increase will primarily stem from the Fenix project, the expansion of Sal de Vida, and the commissioning of the Rincon and Nemaska projects. By that time, total output will exceed three times the 57,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate production achieved in 2025. Rio Tinto previously announced its entry into the ranks of major lithium producers upon acquiring Arcadium, with plans to increase capacity to over 200,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually by 2028. The company has now confirmed its focus on achieving this target, positioning lithium as a “significant” component within its business structure. Expansion Projects: The mechanical portion of the 10,000-ton-per-year expansion at Fenix, one of the Argentine salt lake projects, has been completed, with commissioning progress reaching 60%. The mechanical vapor recompression unit has been put into operation to support the planned first production run. The first production from the expanded capacity remains on track to commence in the second half of 2026. At the new Sal de Vida project in Argentina, with an annual capacity of 15,000 metric tons, the mechanical works have been completed and commissioning is 40% complete. Production is expected to commence in the second half of 2026, projected to increase Rio Tinto's lithium output to 61,000–64,000 metric tons LCE in 2026. Regarding future projects: The Rincon project in Argentina, with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons, is progressing smoothly with its initial 3,000-metric-ton-per-year plant. It is expected to reach full capacity by year-end. The 57,000-metric-ton expansion plant has completed commissioning and is currently being started up, with first production planned for 2028. It will reach full production after a three-year ramp-up period. The mine has an estimated 40-year lifespan, with operating costs positioned in the top quartile of the industry cost curve. The Nemaska project in Canada features an integrated lithium hydroxide production line with a designed capacity of 28,000 metric tons per year. The mine's engineering design is complete, with construction progress at 60%. The lithium hydroxide refinery is scheduled to commence commissioning in 2026 and achieve first production in 2028. For the Whabouchi and Galaxy mines, strategic business and capital discipline reviews are underway with Canadian partners to determine the development of one of these mines. A decision is expected in the first half of 2026 to secure an integrated spodumene supply solution for the lithium hydroxide plant by 2028. In Chile, Rio Tinto anticipates closing agreements signed with state-owned mining companies Codelco and Enami in the first half of 2026. Rio Tinto has been selected as the private partner to develop Chile's two largest undeveloped lithium resources, with projects advancing upon agreement completion.

Chile's Ministry of Health has officially authorized the use of copper slag as artificial aggregate in construction, such as for road surfaces. Published into law on February 12, 2026, Supreme Decree 46 aims to transform a significant mining waste product into a valuable resource. Industry group Consejo Minero stated the regulation promotes the circular economy by turning a historical liability into an input for infrastructure. Mining companies Anglo American and Codelco supported the effort through pilot projects demonstrating the material's safe application in paving and public spaces.