The World Copper Factbook 2019 International Copper Study Group About ICSG Th e Internati o nal Copper Study Group ICSG was f o rmally established as an autonomous inter governmental organization on 23 January 1992 following a series of Ad Hoc meetings sponsored by the United Nations UNCTAD in 19 86 and 19 87 to review the world situation of copper and discuss the ne ed for su ch a body ICSG serves to in cr e a se copper market transparency and promote international discussions and cooperation on issues related to c o pper In order to fulfill its mandate the Study Group has three main objectives Increase market transparenc y by promoting an exchang e of information on productio n consumpti o n stocks trade an d pric es of copper by forecastin g production and consumption and by assessing the present an d futur e ca p a c i ti e s of copper mines plants smelt e rs and re f i ne r i es Promote international cooperation on matters related to copper such as health and the environme n t res e arch te chnology transfer re gu lation s and trade Provide a global forum where industry and governments can meet and discuss common problemsobj ectives Th e IC S G is the only inter government forum solely de d i cate d to copper Th e current members of ICSG are Australia Italy Belgium Japan Brazil Luxem b ourg Chile Mexico China Mongolia DR Congo Peru Europ e an Union Poland Finland Portugal France Russian Federation Germany Serbia Greece Spain India Sweden Iran United States As part of its mandate to provid e a global forum where industry and governm e nts can meet an d discuss common problems and ob j e c t i v e s ICSG meetin gs are he ld twice pe r ye ar typically in the Spring an d Fall at ICSG Hea dquart e rs in Lisbon Portugal The meetings of the Study Group are open to government mem b ers their industry advis o rs and invited observers i