China Copper Output Advances in June, SMM Reports

Published: Jul 10, 2017 11:37
China’s copper cathode production increased 1.08% on a yearly basis to 654,000 tonnes in June 2017, SMM data showed.

SHANGHAI, Jul. 10 (SMM) - China’s copper cathode production increased 1.08% on a yearly basis to 654,000 tonnes in June 2017, SMM data showed.

Total copper cathode output in the first half of 2017 was 3.833 million tonnes, a rise of 0.67% on a yearly basis.

But June’s output fell short of expectations. More-than-expected output was affected at Daye Nonferrous Metals Group by maintenance cycle. Meanwhile, some copper smelters’ output declined due to decreased blister copper supply.

Blister copper output produced with copper scrap decreased, affected by environmental protection and narrower price spread between copper cathode and copper scrap, SMM understands. Besides, demand for blister copper increased after maintenance at a large number of copper smelters in the first half of the year. That’s why blister copper was tight in the second quarter of the year. Processing fees of blister copper are now 1,400-1,600 yuan per tonne (price to factory).

China Zinc Output Skyrockets in June, SMM Reports

China’s copper cathode output will fall 2.41% year-on-year to 648,000 tonnes in July, SMM predicts. Some smelters, including Zijin Copper, Jinchuan Group, Yunnan Copper Chifeng Non-ferrous Metals and Zhongtiaoshan Non-ferrous Metals Group conducted maintenance in July, and will affect copper production, SMM explains.

China Base Metal Output Data in June 2017, SMM Exclusive Data 

Total copper cathode output in the first seven months of the year will be 4.481 million tonnes, up 0.21% year-on-year.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn. 

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 to learn 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
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
16 hours ago
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
Read More
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
Driven by wild swings in copper prices, the copper scrap market this week operated under their dominance; the sharp fluctuations in futures and spot prices profoundly affected the mentality and behavior of all links in the industry chain, and the market exhibited typical “price-driven, tug-of-war between sellers and buyers, and pulse-like transactions” characteristics.
16 hours ago
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Jun 6, 2026 12:17
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Read More
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Copper is an irreplaceable material for power generation and has become a strategic resource in the AI era. A critical period is now approaching: the US Department of Commerce must submit a latest copper market assessment report by June 30, recommending whether the US should impose import tariffs on copper cathode.
Jun 6, 2026 12:17
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
Jun 6, 2026 12:16
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
Read More
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
The current surge in shipping prices is mainly driven by rising shipping costs due to Middle East geopolitical disruptions, sustained restocking demand fueled by finer global division of labor and geopolitical risk aversion, and the concentrated release of stockpiling demand outside China, as Europe and the US kick off their H2 stock-up-in-advance cycle for the peak consumption season. The sharp increase in cargo volume has rapidly tightened the supply-demand balance for shipping capacity. However, the trend of shipping prices in H2 remains unclear.
Jun 6, 2026 12:16
China Copper Output Advances in June, SMM Reports - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)