Glencore lifts Q3 copper output, YTD volumes lag

(Sharecast News) - Mining giant Glencore posted a 36% quarter-on-quarter increase in copper production for the three months ended 30 September, driven by stronger performances at its KCC, Mutanda, Antamina and Antapaccay assets. However, year-to-date copper output came to 583,500 tonnes, down 17% year-on-year from 705,200 tonnes in the same period last year.

Zinc volumes rose 10% year-on-year, while cobalt production increased 8% to 28,500 tonnes, nickel output fell 9% to 52,400 tonnes, and attributable ferrochrome production dropped 51% to 436,000 tonnes.

Steelmaking coal production reached 24.7m tonnes, and energy coal output came in at 73.5m tonnes, broadly flat year-on-year.

Looking forward, the FTSE 100-listed firm now expects full-year marketing adjusted underlying earnings to land around the midpoint of its $2.3bn to $3.5bn guidance range.

Chief executive Gary Nagle said: "Underpinned by a strong third quarter production performance, particularly in copper and coal, full-year 2025 production guidance for our key commodities has been maintained, with ranges tightened to reflect just one quarter remaining.

"Copper production volumes increased 36% quarter on quarter, reflecting stronger performance at KCC +66%, Mutanda +60%, Antamina +52% and Antapaccay +66%. Zinc volumes year-to-date are tracking up 10% period-on-period while steelmaking and energy coal volumes are on track for full year outcomes towards the middle and upper ends of their respective earlier guidance ranges."

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com