Carbon News | Carbon Emissions Reduced by 95%; Exports of Recycled Aluminum Products Surge 160%

Global Zero Carbon The 'New Youth' of Carbon Neutrality 01 Carbon Emissions Down 95%, Exports of Recycled Aluminum Products Soar 160% According to CCTV News on October 9, recycled aluminum—an important alternative raw material to primary aluminum—has seen steadily rising market热度 this year. In Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, the recycled aluminum market is experiencing tight supply, with high-quality scrap aluminum in critically short supply. Purchasers are stationed on-site to secure inventory: “High-grade scrap aluminum is extremely scarce; as soon as quality material arrives, we snap up virtually all of it—we’re terrified of production halts due to material shortages.” Exports of recycled aluminum products are growing rapidly, with their low-carbon advantage opening up overseas markets. Data show that producing one ton of primary aluminum generates approximately 16 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions, whereas producing one ton of recycled aluminum emits only about 0.5 tons—representing a roughly 95% reduction in carbon emissions compared to primary aluminum. From January to August 2026, China’s cumulative exports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products reached 4.665 million tons, up 16.8% year-on-year; among these, unwrought aluminum alloys—primarily composed of recycled aluminum ingots—reached 342,000 tons, an increase of nearly 85% year-on-year. In June alone, exports surged 160.6% year-on-year—the highest level in recent years. (Source: CCTV News) 02 Major Chilean Copper Mine Halts Operations Amid Strike, Adding Uncertainty to Global Copper Supply A major copper mine in Chile has halted operations amid labor unrest, further complicating an already highly strained global copper supply. London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices remain near historic highs, and market concerns over supply deficits continue to intensify. According to media reports dated October 7 local time, after government-led mediation failed to reach an agreement, two unions at Chile’s Centinela copper mine—Minera Esperanza and Distrito Centinela—initiated a strike at 8 a.m. that day. Natalia Corfield, Head of Latin American Corporate Credit Research at J.P. Morgan, noted in her report that this marks the mine’s first-ever strike. The Centinela copper mine is operated by Minera Centinela, 70% owned by London-listed Chilean copper producer Antofagasta. Centinela is one of Antofagasta’s highest-producing copper mines. Media reports indicate the two unions have warned that if the strike continues, Centinela could begin cutting output in approximately two weeks. (Source: Caixin Global) 03 Brazil Sues Shell Subsidiary, Seeking Over $100 Million in Damages for Flood Losses On October 9, Brazilian prosecutors filed a lawsuit against Shell’s Brazilian subsidiary, demanding USD 108 million in compensation for losses linked to severe flooding in southern Brazil in 2024. The suit alleges Shell bears responsibility for climate-related damages caused by its greenhouse gas emissions. At the end of April 2024, torrential rains began inundating Rio Grande do Sul—the country’s agricultural heartland—triggering catastrophic flooding. By June of the same year, nearly 200 people had died and half a million were displaced, causing massive economic losses. Prosecutors argue that Shell has long emitted greenhouse gases through fossil fuel exploration, production, and sales, contributing approximately 2% of total historical global emissions—and thus must assume corresponding environmental and climate responsibilities for its role in global warming.

How is the copper mining industry doing? What is its current development status?

Freeport-McMoRan | Antofagasta | Codelco (Chile’s National Copper Corporation) | Ivanhoe Mines | First Quantum | BHP | Jiangxi Copper | CMOC (China Molybdenum Co.) | Southern Copper Corporation | Tongling Nonferrous Metals | Anglo American | Yunnan Copper | Zijin Mining | Glencore Copper prices stood at approximately USD 14,622 per ton on Friday. UBS reaffirmed copper as its “highest-conviction” commodity theme, forecasting that demand driven by electrification and data center expansion will continue outpacing supply growth for several years, extending the supply deficit into the early 2030s. Meanwhile, the Centinela copper mine strike in Chile may impact output within two weeks, and Deutsche Bank warns that global copper inventories have fallen to critically low levels—raising its LME copper price target for Q2 next year to USD 22,050 per ton. On October 9, 2026, Natalia Corfield, Head of Latin American Corporate Credit Research at J.P. Morgan, stated in a research note that the Centinela copper mine had launched a strike that morning following the collapse of mandatory mediation talks between the company and miners’ unions. Centinela is a core copper asset of Antofagasta, having produced 240,400 tons of copper in 2025—accounting for over 35% of the company’s total output. Copper reserves and production have never been a simple “one-to-one” relationship.

Antofagasta Workers to End Strike, Easing Chile Copper Tensions

Oct 17, 2026

Workers at Antofagasta’s Centinela mine accepted a new wage offer, ending a strike threatening production amid tight global copper supplies. The resolution eases supply disruption concerns as demand for the metal surges near record highs.

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Antofagasta Workers to End Strike, Easing Chile Copper Tensions

Antofagasta Workers to End Strike, Easing Chile Copper Tensions

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