A lesson in country risk, something many investors never consider.  It's cost me a lot, so these days, I don't invest in mining outside of North America and Australia.

That aside, China is stockpiling copper at a furious rate.  There will be no shortages, though the price may rise a bit for a while.  Meanwhile, as the global recession takes hold, demand will fall.  And you can count on the new president of Argentina to accelerate mineral production too.