Andrew Mackenzie Billiton mined less copper

further mine expansion, if implemented by the new government.

The recent sharp sell-off in copper has been laid at the door of shorting by Chinese investment funds. But analysts quoted by Bloomberg are also forecasting rising copper surpluses this year, ranging between about 100 000 t and 400 000 t . This would reflect the mismatch between new production coming on line and slowing growth in China after a decade when its investment in modern infrastructure created a surge in demand for copper in plumbing and electrification. It is also argued that reduced Chinese demand for copper reflects a