Copper prices hit $11 000 per metric ton on Thursday, a level not seen in over 16 months, as widespread disruption at mines sparks fears of a shortage of supply and attracts speculative inflows. Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange CMCU3 rose 3.1% to hit the $11 000 mark, within striking distance of its all-time high of $11 104.50 set in May 2024, before pulling back to $10 970 as of 1336 GMT. The red metal has risen more than 21% so far in 2025, gaining momentum through strong demand, a weak dollar and falling interest rates, before a series of incidents at key copper mines, including a mudslide ... (full story)