Most analysts are looking for something better this year but the early indications are that bulls will have to be patient.

This is the fourth time since 2017 the copper giant issues long-term debt to refinance its short- and medium-term debt.

State-owned copper giant plans to spend $3 billion this year to contain a wave of nationwide protests.

The move adds a potential barrier to any takeover proposal at a time analysts, bankers and miners expect to see more deals in copper.

What has ailed copper for most of the year largely dissipated last month as the US and China closed in on an interim trade deal.