SHANGHAI, Nov. 6 (SMM) – SMM's latest survey found that the average operating rate at scrap copper smelters was 54.1% in October, up slightly from the previous month. The price difference between scrap and refined copper during October decreased gradually following drops in copper futures prices. However, as copper futures prices were still at relatively high levels, and since supply of crude copper remained comparatively plentiful, processing fees increased by RMB 200/mt to RMB 1,300/mt. This helped the average operating rate increase slightly to 54.1% in October.