Grupo Mexico to press ahead with major US copper projects after output dip

By Raul Cortes MEXICO CITY, Oct 22 (Reuters) Grupo Mexico said on Thursday it will push ahead with major investments at its US mining unit Asarco, expanding the Ray and Silver Bell mines in Arizona and aiming to ​restart the Hayden smelter and refinery, after copper output fell in the ‌third quarter. The mining and transportation conglomerate expects to spend $4 billion to $6 billion over the next three years on Asarco s main projects, mining head Leonardo Contreras told analysts on a call. The investment would mark a significant step up from the unit s recent spending levels, which came in at just $101 million in ‌2024, ​though in line with what the firm had previously ⁠floated for potential US expansion plans. US ⁠EXPANSION PUSH Grupo Mexico has long weighed kickstarting output from its US assets, particularly as Washington has prioritized domestic copper production and securing critical mineral supply chains. The plans come after Grupo Mexico reported that third-quarter copper out