China's Dominance in Mineral Processing Creates Tension with US Copper Miners

China is dominating mineral processing, not mining, in the global race for critical resources like copper. The US imports 60% of its copper, and reliance will increase if projects like Pebble Mine in Alaska are not allowed to proceed. China's focus on refining and processing gives it control over the final metal, while the US has limited domestic processing capacity. This imbalance is relevant for investors tracking large copper producers like Freeport-McMoRan and Southern Copper. Removing regulatory uncertainty would matter beyond a single project, as China understands copper's critical role in the future, but the US needs to understand it too.