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ICSG 1 Feb 09 - Based on existing facilities and announced project developments, annual mine production capacity in the period 2009-2013 is expected to grow at an average rate of around 4.3% per year (%/yr) to reach 23.1 Mt in 2013, an increase of around 3.6 Mt (19%) from that in 2009. Of the total increase, copper in concentrate capacity is expected to increase by 2.7Mt (4.3%/yr) to reach 17.9 Mt and solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) production by 820,000t (4.4%/yr) to reach 5.2 Mt. Most of the new mine projects and expansions are located in Brazil, Chile, Congo, Mongolia, Peru, the United States and Zambia, which together account for around 2.6 Mt (73%) of the projected mine capacity increase during this period. Annual smelter capacity is projected to grow by an average of 2.6%/yr to reach 20.2 Mt in 2013, an increase of 2 Mt (11%) from that in 2009. Asia will be the leading contributor to growth (1.8 Mt), with expansions and new projects expected mostly in China, but also in India, Indonesia and Iran. Africa is the second leading contributor owing to developments in Zambia. North American smelting capacity will fall by 12% (250kt) due to closures of plants in Canada. The ICSG tabulations indicate that world refinery capacity will reach 26.6 Mt in 2013, an increase of 3.2 Mt (13%) from that in 2009. About 2.3 Mt of the expansion is expected to come from electrolytic refineries and 820,000t from electrowinning capacity. Electrolytic refinery capacity growth is projected to average 3.1%/yr, exceeding the projected growth in smelter capacity, and electrowinning capacity growth (at the refinery level) is expected to average 4.3%/yr. About one half (1.5 Mt) of the world refinery capacity increase during this period is expected to come from electrolytic refineries in China; about 25% (830,000 t) from electrolytic capacity increases in India, Indonesia and Iran; and about 20% (600,000 t) from electrowinning capacity increases in Congo, Peru and Zambia.

"The move to acquire the assets would deal a blow to Anglo, which has invested $2.8bn in an expansion of the Los Bronces mine. The expansion, which will more than double output at the mine to about 490,000 tonnes per year, is due to start production in the last quarter of this year."

China Steel Australia plans to at least triple its nickel pig iron production capacity through a $92 million expansion of its Linyi plant in China's Shandong Province. The company, which services the domestic Chinese market, today announced that fixed price building contracts had been signed for the plant expansion, with production scheduled to commence in January, 2009.

It was reported that China's Amer International expects to complete construction of its new 250,000t/y copper rod production line, located in its Chaohu City facility in Anhui Province, by year-end. The expansion project will bring Amer's production capacity to 500,000t/y and its total copper rod production is anticipated to reach 200,000t in 2011. A spokesperson for the company said that it will manufacture rod for both domestic and foreign export markets. In addition, Amer also intends to source copper cathode for rod-processing from within China and also overseas. Total investment for the project amounted to RMB2.5B.

Southwire, the US-based aluminium and copper cablemaker, has said that while the use of copper in most electrical applications is unlikely to change, some manufacturers are likely to move toward the use of aluminium wire. The auto industry is increasingly using aluminium wire for traditional copper applications. This is occurring most predominantly outside of the US, however domestic autos companies have also been using aluminium wire for battery cable and aluminium wire harnesses for lights. Southwire stated that for most electrical applications copper usage will remain dominant because of its overall reliability.

Guangzhou Jiangtong Copper products, a subsidiary of Jiangxi Copper, announced that it began trial production at its new 400,000t/y copper wirerod plant this week. The company expects to supply nearby consumers in southern China as well as those in foreign markets in Southeast Asia. Capital investment expenditure totalled RMB2.0B.

"The lack of a sturdy electrification grid in several countries such asIndonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, and theSarawak region of Malaysia have prompted power utility companies to budget for grid installations and expansions. The electrification expansion programs of utilities in most of these countries are giving a huge boost to the transformers market in the region. "

Brazilian copper and alloy semis manufacturer Termomecanica is planning to invest BRL300M (US$143M) in several new products and production facilities. The plans will see the company develop a new line of tube and rolled products, as well as new brass rebar production facilities in Chile and Argentina. The company said that its current production capacity is 140,000 t/y, and that they are producing about 90,000 tpy, stating that they believe in the expansion of the domestic market and an in increase exports. Termomecanica's industrial facilities include two sites in the city of São Bernardo in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, two distribution centres in São Bernardo and Joinvile. The new expansion will add an additional 7% of capacity to the company's operations.

The second phase of Prysmian S.p.a.'s development strategy, which involves the expansion of its Rybinsk facility in Russia, is nearing completion and is expected to begin supplying customers in Q1 2012. After the expansion, the facility will be capable of producing cables for use in the automotive and oil and gas sectors. The initial phase of the plan involved the installation of equipment for the manufacture of cables and systems related to the construction business. A third phase involving high voltage and medium voltage cable manufacturing is also underway and the building to house the new lines is nearly ready. The third phase is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2013.

LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Australia's Minara Resources Ltd (MRE.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday it had to defer its Australian $300 million ($273.5 million) nickel expansion plan due to high costs and reported an 80 percent drop in profits for the first half year. Minara, Australia's second-largest nickel miner after BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), posted a net profit after tax for the half year to 30 June 2008 of $50.9 Australian million, down from $245.9 Australian million in the same period in 2007.

Global miner Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX.N) said on Saturday it is considering delaying an expansion project aimed at extending the life of its El Abra joint venture with Chile's Coldelco.

China's trade expansion is expected to be hampered by greater uncertainties amid world economic slowdown risk, rising prices of raw materials on the international markets and the swiftly appreciating yuan, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.

Jiangxi Copper Co Ltd has started an expansion project at its Dexing copper mine to increase its annual processing capacity to 130,000 tons from the current 100,000 tons, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

"China's Xiangguang Copper completed an expansion in April that has lifted annual refining capacity up 70 percent to 600,000 tonnes, a company manager said on Friday."

"The Kazakhstani project is designed to resolve power deficiencies caused by expansive urban and industrial development in Almaty, the capital city. LS Cable & System will provide products, such as 127km of 220kV level extra high-voltage transmission cables and joints, and technical consultation until August next year. In addition, 140km of OPGW (optical ground wire, see glossary) and 1,100km of 220kV level gap conductors (see glossary) will be supplied together with installation support by year end to San Lorenzo and Guarambare for national backbone power and communication network implementation in Paraguay. "

"This market insight provides an outlook of the growth opportunities for the rail industry in India. Ambitious government plans coupled with unprecedented levels of foreign investment are leading to a complete overhaul of the rail environment in India. Over 39 cities are planning to invest in expansive urban rail networks to address severe traffic congestion problems. High-speed rail and dedicated freight corridors are planned to separate passenger and freight traffic to increase operating efficiency."