SHANGHAI, Jun. 20 (SMM) – China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that China produced 836,700 mt of copper concentrate (Cu content) during the first five months of 2014. Output in May also hit a record high of 206,500 mt, up 51,800 mt, or 33.44%, from April’s output.

A recent SMM survey shows that concentrate output in Yunnan, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Anhui provinces all rose after local mines completed recertification or made upgrades in technology. Mines in Gansu province and Tibet were also increasing output as the weather improves. Higher copper prices during May also encouraged copper mines to increase supply, but SMM estimates additional output may only be 25,000-30,000 mt.