Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Stainless, Rare Earth, Metal Prices, Forecasting | MetalMiner With all eyes on the labor situation at BHP’s Escondida copper mine — the world’s largest copper mine — global copper supply could get a lot tighter if the situation leads to a prolonged strike. In 2017, workers at the mine engaged in a 44-day strike. However, at least through the first four months of the year, the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) estimated the global copper market posted an apparent surplus of 70,000 metric tons. Receive the latest short-term and long-term outlook for the full range of industrial metals (base and ferrous) at the annual MetalMiner Forecasting Workshop on Aug. 25.