Cobre: análise do cenário atual da oferta e demanda no Brasil

Abstract

This purpose of this paper is to address the economic issues relating to copper, a metal of major importance in several economic sectors, although primarily within the electronic industry. Geological exploration within Brazil has to be improved to also include a substantial increase in capital investment to enhance this purpose, only then will Brazil be in the position to increase its copper reserves and expand the capacity to produce concentrated copper. The country currently exports most of the produced copper concentrate, but still yields a reduced share by world production standards. In relation to refined copper, Brazil is a major importer, this mainly due to the country´s reduced smelter capacity. Moreover, several Brazilian copper deposits are affected by contaminants that require smelter adaptations in the production of refined copper. The main Brazilian deposits are in the Mineral Province of Carajás and mainly comprise of the Iron Oxide Copper Gold type, which is compatible with Australian deposits and which differ from the world’s primary copper producer, Chile, where deposits of porphyry are predominate.