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Diversified mining groups are shifting their capital allocation strategies toward copper expansion to secure higher market valuations, according to a research report from investment bank UBS. Analyst Daniel Major noted that major miners navigated their first-half financial results without severe guidance downgrades despite persistent cost inflation.

Mining bosses say that regulatory scrutiny of major mergers is increasing as governments pay closer attention to critical minerals and security of supply ​in the face of a volatile geopolitical backdrop, but they do not see the shift as a fundamental barrier ‌to dealmaking.

Panumre Liberum argue that copper offers gold's inflation protection, plus an industrial-backed demand growth story, as well as a relative immunity to movements in interest rates.