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Sulphur 421 Nov-Dec 2025

24 November 2025

Aurubis looking at new US smelter

Aurubis looking at new US smelter

Aurubis says that it is in discussions with the US government about possible financial support for the construction of a new copper smelter. Reuters reports comments from Aurubis CEO Toralf Haag during LME Week that there had been a positive response from the Trump administration. The US is currently only able to supply about half of its refined copper demand of 1.7 million t/a from domestic production, and the gap may widen as demand increases.

The move comes in the wake of the start-up of Aurubis’ new multi-metal recycling facility in the state of Georgia. The $860 million investment will ramp up to an annual output of 70,000 t/a of copper. CEO Dr. Toralf Haag commented: “The commissioning of our facility in Richmond marks a milestone in Aurubis’ growth journey. We are first movers and have built the first greenfield smelter in the US in over a century. Our timely entry into the US market and our unique set of capabilities coupled with a supportive funding environment are a strong foundation for further growth in one of the most attractive metal markets in the world.”.

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Zambia implements sulphuric acid export permits

The Zambian government has introduced a new permit system to manage the export of sulphuric acid, which came into effect on 27 March, 2026, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. The move comes at a time of significant exceptionally high prices and sourcing challenges in the global sulphur market, adding another layer of tightness for regional consumers. The Ministry stated that the measure is designed to correct a "critical market imbalance" and ensure supply for the country's domestic industries. The system aims to safeguard local downstream sectors that rely on the acid, while still ensuring that the needs of the export market are met, it said.