SHANGHAI, May 31 (SMM) – Monthly treatment charges (TCs) of imported copper concentrate rose $3/mt to $72-81/mt as of Thursday May 31, according to SMM assessment.

This marked a rebound from $70/mt in April, a record low since August 2013.

Supply of imported copper concentrate grew due to turmoil at Vedanta Resources’ copper smelter in India’s state of Tamil Nadu. The smelter was ordered to be shut permanently on May 28 as 13 people were killed in a violent protest to close the plant on environmental concerns.

The smelter had an annual production capacity of 400,000 mt, which accounted for 35% of India's copper market.

Production at the smelter was suspended since late March for maintenance and pending a license renewal.

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