SHANGHAI, Jan. 30 (SMM) – SMM's latest survey found that the average operating rate at low-oxygen copper rod producers slipped sharply by 6.1% MoM to 32.8% in January. Low-oxygen copper rod orders fell noticeably since early January because real estate sector and power grid construction have slowed appreciably in north China due to cold weather. Moreover, sluggish markets forced an increasing number of low-oxygen copper rod producers to halt production earlier than normal time this year to alleviate high stock pressures and cash flow pressures.