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The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on 13 November took a unanimous vote to continue its anti-dumping duty investigations into imports of seamless refined copper pipe and tube from China and Mexico. Preliminary determinations are due 9 March 2010. On 21 October, the U.S. Commerce Department formally initiated anti-dumping investigations (petitioned by domestic manufacturers Cerro Flow Products Inc, KobeWieland Copper Products LLC and two divisions of Mueller Industries Inc), finding estimated dumping margins of 60.5% for China and 76.5% to 85.7% for Mexico.

Luvata officially opened its first copper tube plant in Mexico, aiming to fabricate tubes for the HVACR industry. The company sees the current downturn in the commercial tube market as a convenient time to establish its position in the marketplace and be ready when the market picks up. The Monterrey-based plant has started with small but steady deliveries since mid-June. Currently, the plant employs 180 staff with the plan to raise workforce to 250 when the full capacity level of 2,500t per month is reached in H1 2010. Luvata aims to supply several major clients but also expand its clientele to new and smaller Mexican customers. The company intends to differentiate itself by offering just-in-time deliveries, enabling its clients to run reduced inventory levels.

Mexican copper output fell to 18,465 tonnes in August, down 14.4% from the same month a year earlier, according to data from the National Statistics Institute on 30 October. The country's copper output has been hit by a more than two-year long strike at its largest mine, the Cananea mine owned by Grupo Mexico.

Golden Dragon, based in China's Hunan province, opened a new copper tube plant in the city of Monclova, northern Mexico. The investment of the project amounted to US$100 million and represents the biggest Chinese investment ever made in Mexico. The plant covers 200,000m2 and will employ 900 staff. Currently, annual output capacity is 60,000t of copper tube for air conditioners but the plan is to raise that to 120,000t. The new project will benefit from low industrial costs and a competitive exchange rate; it aims to supply the North American and European markets.

Leading cable manufacturer Nexans has secured a major frame agreement potentially worth US$300m with BP Exploration & Production Inc., for the design, manufacture and supply of deep water umbilical cables to projects in the Gulf of Mexico. During the term of the agreement (initially for one year, with an option for BP to extend it by four years), Nexans could deliver more than 200 km of umbilical products to BP.

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Copper giant Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday strong demand from China coupled with tight global supply meant prices for the red metal were unlikely to fall below $2 per lb in 2009, although the company maintained its annual guidance of $1.75 per lb.

"We believe that the infrastructure plans in the United States and China are going to lead to important demand," Grupo Mexico's Chief Financial Officer Daniel Muniz said at the Reuters Latin American Investment Summit in Mexico City.

Mexican copper output rose to 23,766 tonnes in September, up 6.5 percent from the same month a year earlier, the national statistics agency said on Friday.

Mexican copper output fell to 21,609 tonnes in August, down 16.7 percent from the same month a year earlier, the government said on Friday.