Zijin Mining Executive Predicts Copper Market Trends for 2026

On March 23, according to Jin10, an executive from Zijin Mining shared insights during the 2025 performance briefing, forecasting that the copper market in 2026 will be driven by 'macro games' and 'structural shortages.' The executive highlighted that in the context of a complex external environment and intensified competition for key minerals, copper's financial attributes and strategic asset value are becoming increasingly prominent. Geopolitical conflicts, economic uncertainties, fluctuating interest rate expectations, and trade policy disruptions may heighten short-term price volatility risks. As macroeconomic disturbances gradually subside, the market's focus is expected to return to supply and demand fundamentals. In the medium to long term, amid prolonged underinvestment in global mining capital and rising protectionism, the rigid constraints on copper supply are becoming more apparent, potentially establishing a solid price floor through long-term incentive pricing.