SHANGHAI, Jul. 1 (SMM) – China’s copper concentrate output increased 12.47% MoM in May to 156,900 mt, but was down 24.02% YoY, the National Bureau of Statistics reported. YTD output through the first five months was down 3.87% to 710,700 mt.

The arrival of spring saw many mines across China increase production in Q2. However, China’s economic slowdown left copper demand weak and weighed copper prices down. The result has been that China’s copper concentrate output continues to decline YoY. SMM expects MoM growth in concentrate output to have slowed through June.