
Japan, Spain and South Korea warn over unsustainable copper processing fees
Japan, Spain and South Korea issued a rare joint statement on Wednesday expressing deep concerns over tumbling copper treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs), warning both smelters and miners cannot develop sustainably under current conditions.Copper smelters worldwide are grappling with falling processing fees and shrinking margins amid tight concentrate supply and expanding smelting capacity in China. In June, some Chinese smelters agreed to process copper for Chilean miner Antofagasta at no charge.

Value of Argentina’s mining exports up about 33% in first nine months of 2025
Argentina’s mining exports reached $4.21 billion in total value in the first nine months of 2025, an increase of 32.9% compared to the same period last year, the South American country’s mining secretariat reported on Monday.The figures mark a historic record for foreign sales from the national mining industry for the first nine months of a year, it added.The secretariat credited the jump in export value in part to “outstanding” international prices for metals like gold and silver.

Rio Tinto says strong year-end iron ore push needed as China demand surges
Rio Tinto said on Tuesday it needs a strong year-end finish to meet its iron ore shipment target, even as Chinese demand gathered pace as global economies front-loaded investment ahead of looming tariffs.Iron ore prices have surged to their highest levels since February, driven by targeted infrastructure stimulus in China that boosted steel production, Rio said, with China’s iron ore imports hitting a record high in September.