Excess copper in the world market, according to the World Bureau of Metal Statistics, in January-April of this year stood at 177 thousand. Tonnes, significantly increased compared to the same period of 2009, when the surplus of the «red metal» reached 59.9 thous. m. On the whole, last year global copper surplus was equal to 290 thousand. tonnes.

Extraction of copper raw materials (in terms of pure metal) amounted to 5.09 million tons, an increase of 1.3% in the first four months the world in 2010 compared to January-April 2009, the production of refined copper reached 6.240 million tonnes, which is 4.1% more than a year ago.

Global consumption of the same «red metal» for the reporting period amounted to 6.063 million tons, and in China it increased by 65 thousand. Tonnes. Demand for copper in the European Union rose by 8.7% to 1.087 million tons.

In April 2010 the refined copper production was 1.589 million tons, the consumption in the world — 1,550 million tons.