China imported a record amount of copper in February according to Mineweb.com, sending signals that the Chinese economy may be recovering from last year's slump with implications for global commodity prices.
China is the world's biggest consumer of copper, and imported 329,311 tonnes of unwrought copper in February, up more than 41% from January.
Arizona produces 60% of U.S. copper consumption, with prices set in the global market, so this development affects operations and jobs in the state. [right, copper cathode tanks. Credit Asarco]