‘Criminal Activity’ May Lead to Massive Losses for European Copper Giant - The Messenger
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‘Criminal Activity’ May Lead to Massive Losses for European Copper Giant

Following reports of the theft, company shares fell 6% on the German exchange

Technology scraps at an Aurubis refinery.Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

Aurubis, the biggest copper producer in Europe, has been the subject of "criminal activity," the company indicated in a statement on Thursday. 

The metal maker found “considerable discrepancies” in its inventories, which gives them reason to believe they have “been the target of further criminal activity.” 

The company is predicting that these losses "might be in the low, three-digit-million-euro range." 

Aurubis also believes the losses will stop it from reaching its 2022/23 fiscal-year profit forecast. 

This comes after the company reported illegal activity in June, when the copper maker reported that German prosecutors and police were "investigating the suspicion of a joint theft of intermediate products containing precious metals that are produced in the Aurubis production process.“

The prosecutors issued arrest warrants for more than $21 million.

Aurubis said that both internal and external investigations have been started on the matter.

Following reports of the theft, company shares were down 6% on the German stock exchange.

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