Copper prices are holding near record highs, hovering just below $US11,000 a tonne, fueled by concerns over potential supply disruptions. The metal, essential for various applications including pipes, wires, and batteries, has seen a strong rally this year, climbing approximately 25% since recovering from a sell-off in April. This initial downturn was sparked by trade war escalations. Recently, supply-side challenges have intensified, capturing investor attention. A significant factor is the suspension of operations at Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg mine in Indonesia following a fatal mudslide. Freeport-McMoRan is a ... (full story)