Copper output flat in March quarter
BY CAMERON DRUMMOND GLOBAL March quarter copper production decreased 4.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter as only one-third of the top 15 producers reporting an increase in output, according to S&P Global. Production from the top 15 producers in the 2018 March quarter fell by 136,548 tonnes (t), or 4.8 per cent, compared the December 2017 quarter. However, output rose by 14.8 per cent, or 345,725t, on an annual basis in the March quarter. MMG, Grupo México and Vale sustained the bulk of those losses, with Vale recording the biggest fall – down 20.3 per cent – due to unscheduled mine maintenance and lower processed ore grades across some of its operations. MMG reported a loss in production of 31,799t, or 19.9…