Tsingshan Holding Group’s inability to pay its margin calls to its banks and brokers was among the main drivers of a 250% surge in prices in early March.
Artisanal and small-scale mining can lead to commodities being mined, sold and purchased through unofficial channels and potentially financing criminal or terrorist organizations.
A pro-China propaganda campaign used fake social media accounts to try to stir up opposition, including protests, against mining firms that challenge China's business interests.
Over the 27-year project life, annual production would reach 163 million lb. copper, 211,000 oz. gold, 1.28 million oz. silver and 15.1 million lb. molybdenum.