Global copper deficit grows to 181 000 t during first three quarters of 2017

The global copper supply deficit has grown to 181 000 t during the first three quarters of 2017. According to the latest assessment conducted by the Lisbon, Portugal-based International Copper Study Group (ICSG), stagnant refined copper supplies, in combination with strong Chinese apparent usage in September, conspired to lift the deficit from an estimated 160 000 t for the first seven months of the year.