Copper concentrate TCs remain at low levels

SHANGHAI, Apr 17 (SMM) – Trading in the imported copper concentrate market was thin during the week ended April 13 as smelters held back purchasing on the relatively low treatment charges (TCs).

SMM assessed clean copper concentrate TCs at $70-76/mt as of Friday April 13, down $0.5/mt from a week ago.

The copper concentrate market remains in a tight balance even though impact of strikes at overseas mines eased. Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres copper mine and Codelco’s two copper mines reached an agreement with their workers in March and April. The labour negotiation at Escondida also progressed positively.

However, domestic mines to be commissioned in the second quarter including Jinchang, Jincheng Mining and Western Mining in Qinghai province may give some pressure to the market.

For editorial queries, please contact Daisy Tseng at daisy@smm.cn 
For more information on how to access our research reports, please email service.en@smm.cn