China’s rapid build-up of clean energy is claiming more copper, supporting the market at a time when traditional sources of demand like housing are in the dumps.

The dollar’s relentless surge to repeated records is making commodities priced in the currency more expensive for overseas buyers.

It appears the days of being a “one trick pony” mining company are numbered.

NorZinc has now received a new water licence from the government of Northwest Territories for an expanded 2,400 t/d mine plan.

Anglo says 300,000ktpa Peru mine has entered commercial production. Chile output and costs negatively affected by Los Bronces water restrictions and changing ore.

“In general the outlook is pretty weak for metals,” said Ryan McKay, a commodity strategist at TD Securities.

Key among those challenges as the world’s largest oil producer seeks to unlock an estimated $1.3 trillion in mineral wealth are logistics and water supplies.

The venture - between Umicore and Volkswagen's battery unit PowerCo - also plan to collaborate on recycling metals from battery materials.