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Copper prices exceeded $6 per pound this week, driven by rising demand from the tech sector, housing, and energy transition. Mark Thompson from Montana Resources noted that higher prices lead to increased profit sharing for employees and higher tax revenues for Butte-Silver Bow.

The mine, employing over 400 people, bases its sales contracts on the London Metal Exchange (LME) prices, which have been affected by technical and labor issues at major mines globally. Copper prices have rallied over 35% this year, with significant demand for data centers requiring large quantities of copper. Recent uncertainties in Venezuela may further impact the critical minerals market, as copper was designated as a critical mineral by the U.S. government in November.