智通财经网·2025-10-31 00:40Core Viewpoint - The report from Tianfeng Securities indicates that global copper mine supply growth is expected to decline further in 2025, with a projected reduction of 23,000 tons, representing a year-over-year decrease of 0.12% [1][2]. Group 1: Supply Dynamics - The anticipated global copper mine production for 2025 is expected to decrease by 23,000 tons, with a year-over-year decline of 0.12% [2]. - Factors contributing to the supply reduction include incidents at Kamoa-Kakula, El Teniente, and Grasberg mines, while expansions at Oyu Tolgoi, MMG, and others are expected to offset some losses [2]. - Despite high copper prices maintaining mine profits around 60%, the supply growth is projected to decline, indicating a disconnect between profitability and production capacity [2][11]. Group 2: Macro Economic Influences - The global macroeconomic environment, characterized by high inflation and interest rates, is increasing project financing costs, which in turn diminishes mining companies' willingness to invest in capital expenditures [6]. - Resource nationalism is on the rise, with new mining laws in countries like Mexico and Panama affecting foreign investment sentiment [6][8]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The copper mining industry is currently in a defensive capital expenditure phase, with CAPEX growth lagging behind historical levels, particularly since 2015 [3][6]. - The trend of declining copper ore grades is limiting the willingness to expand supply, as high-grade resources are becoming increasingly scarce [6]. - The industry is experiencing rising production costs due to increases in transportation, energy, and labor costs, which are contributing to a higher cash cost for copper mining [8][11]. Group 4: Global Resource Distribution - Global copper reserves are relatively healthy, with a total of 980 million tons projected for 2024, providing a static recoverable life of approximately 42.6 years [15]. - Major copper reserves are concentrated in countries like Chile, Peru, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while China's copper reserves are only 4% of the global total, indicating a disparity between reserves and production [15][17]. - Chinese mining companies are expanding their footprint in resource-rich regions such as Africa and South America through mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures to bolster their reserves [17][18].