High spot prices caused by high premiums; secondary copper rod enterprises maintain yesterday's quotes unchanged [SMM Secondary Copper Daily Review]

Published: Sep 22, 2026 15:44 (GMT+8)

SMM September 22

        Today at 11:30, the futures closing price was 111,570 yuan/mt, up 1,610 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The average spot premium was 1,375 yuan/mt, up 550 yuan/mt MoM from the previous trading day. Today, secondary copper prices rose 200 yuan/mt MoM. The secondary copper sales sentiment index fell to 2.67, and the purchase sentiment index fell to 1.97. The price difference between copper cathode and copper scrap was 4,071 yuan/mt, up 930 yuan/mt MoM. The price difference between copper cathode rod and secondary copper rod was 2,590 yuan/mt. According to the SMM survey, secondary copper prices showed an unusual pattern of following declines but not increases. After copper prices broke through 110,000 yuan, secondary copper rod enterprises almost lost their purchase willingness. Even as copper prices continued to rise, their raw material quotes remained unchanged, mainly because enterprises could not bear such high secondary copper prices. As a result, there was almost no trading in the secondary copper market during the day.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 22)
8 mins ago
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 22)
Read More
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 22)
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 22)
The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 22 Sep , 2026
8 mins ago
Vedanta's KCM Nchanga Copper Smelter Resumes Operations After Maintenance
1 hour ago
Vedanta's KCM Nchanga Copper Smelter Resumes Operations After Maintenance
Read More
Vedanta's KCM Nchanga Copper Smelter Resumes Operations After Maintenance
Vedanta's KCM Nchanga Copper Smelter Resumes Operations After Maintenance
SMM, September 22: According to foreign media reports on September 21, Vedanta Resources' Zambian subsidiary Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) said its Nchanga copper smelter has resumed operations after more than three months of maintenance and repair work. The smelter was commissioned in 2010 with a construction investment of approximately $350 million and has an annual production capacity of 311,000 mt of copper. The shutdown maintenance was originally planned to last 60 days, but after additional critical repair items were identified during detailed inspections, the maintenance period was extended to 106 days, with renovation costs of approximately $40 million. This also marked the smelter's first major overhaul in eight years. Data from Zambia's Ministry of Mines shows that KCM's copper production in 2025 was 80,200 mt. This maintenance is part of the company's overall equipment modernization strategy, and KCM plans to increase copper production to 300,000 mt/year by 2030. Meanwhile, the Zambian government is pushing to expand the country's copper industry, planning to raise national copper production from 890,300 mt in 2025 to 3 million mt by 2031. Zambia is currently Africa's second-largest copper producer.
1 hour ago
【Flash | Weather Disruptions Keep Chilean Molybdenum Supply Tight】
1 hour ago
【Flash | Weather Disruptions Keep Chilean Molybdenum Supply Tight】
Read More
【Flash | Weather Disruptions Keep Chilean Molybdenum Supply Tight】
【Flash | Weather Disruptions Keep Chilean Molybdenum Supply Tight】
SMM learned from the market intelligence team of a major overseas mine operator that above-normal rainfall and severe weather across parts of South America in July and August disrupted production and maintenance schedules at some mines. Regional operations improved in September, but mine supply remained tight. Some copper-molybdenum mines still face post-weather maintenance requirements, which may continue to constrain Chilean by-product molybdenum supply and support elevated overseas molybdenum prices.
1 hour ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?Sign in here
High spot prices caused by high premiums; secondary copper rod enterprises maintain yesterday's quotes unchanged [SMM Secondary Copper Daily Review] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)