Year-long disruptions at Grasberg, Kamoa-Kakula, and El Teniente drove copper prices higher. (Image: MINING.COM) Copper’s record-breaking 2025 has set up a tight but fragile market heading into 2026 as supply strains deepen, tariff fears distort trade flows and analysts flag long-term deficits.Prices are up 35% so far this year and heading for their largest gain since 2009. They surged past $11,800 a tonne this year, at one point sitting about 3% above any previous high as traders rushed metal into the US a ...