Copper is the metal most closely linked the world GDP growth earning it the Dr. Copper name, for its health check properties in respect of the world economy. But it took a human tragedy last month to push the metal to its highest ever level, punching through $11,200 per ton. Freeport-McMoRan reported nine fatalities at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia, following a mudslide, and with it a cessation in mining. The flip side of the all-important human angle to this event is to underline how flimsy forecasts for a balanced market this year. Even the slightest disruption in supply can throw the market into a supply deficit. ... (full story)