China's shift to net exporter of both metals is a rare inversion of historical trade patterns.

Inventories in warehouses registered with the Shanghai Futures Exchange have more than doubled over the last two weeks.

Production disruptions in Latin America and Africa have raised the stakes for a tighter market this year.

The mining and transport company reported a profit of $1.04 billion for the final three months of 2022.

In 2022 consumption of many mineral commodities neared or exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Demand shows little sign of improving, however, with Chinese import premiums falling.

Some of the biggest names in copper have found high-ranking political allies to support their efforts to get the metal added to a list of minerals deemed critical to the US.