The mining giant said its quarterly production of copper rose to 1.1 billion pounds from 965 million pounds a year earlier.

Copper prices have recently been bolstered by expectations of tight supplies and optimism about demand prospects from energy transition.

Operating profit fell 52% from 3.41 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

Congolese mines minister suspended the copper and cobalt operation's licence while it investigated the issue.

Anglo denies responsibility for the lead poisoning related to the Broken Hill mine.

Copper climbed as much as 1.1% early Monday to reach $9,988 a ton.

It is estimated that one third of the 10 million tons of new demand would come from the electric vehicle sector.

The Russian firm will close its Arctic copper plant and build one in China with an unnamed partner.