China copper inventory shrank for 11 weeks

BHP and Amazon have launched an industry-first Environmental Attribute Certificate (EAC) pilot for copper, using copper concentrate and SX-EW cathode produced at Chile's Escondida mine. The mechanism separates verified lower-emissions attributes from the physical copper itself: producers can create EACs associated with qualifying production, while downstream users can purchase and retire the certificates against emissions associated with copper in their own supply chains. The model addresses a key traceability challenge as physical copper moves through smelting, refining, fabrication and manufacturing before reaching the final user. Amazon can retire the certificates against copper used in its power, cooling and computing infrastructure, including AI-related circuit boards, interconnects and cold plates. The pilot will now test eligibility rules, verification, registry infrastructure and safeguards against double counting. If adopted more broadly, the framework could eventually create a separately tradable environmental value for lower-emissions copper, potentially influencing future copper procurement and offtake structures alongside conventional metal pricing and premiums.

Prysmian announced on September 23 that it has signed a new long-term copper wire rod supply agreement with Aurubis, representing the largest contract between the two companies in more than 30 years of cooperation. The agreement is designed to secure long-term copper supply for Prysmian’s European cable operations and strengthen regional supply-chain resilience. The companies did not disclose the contract duration, volumes or financial value. Prysmian Corporate Aurubis’ copper wire rod currently contains approximately 36% recycled material on average, and the partners intend to progressively increase circular content in future supplies. Prysmian highlighted accelerating copper demand from electrification, power-grid expansion, digitalisation and AI infrastructure as a key reason for locking in long-term access to lower-carbon copper. For the recycled-copper market, the agreement is particularly notable as a major European cable producer is securing long-term wire rod supply with a substantial and rising recycled-copper component.

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: LME copper: opened at $14,668.5/mt, hit a high of $14,691.5/mt, a low of $14,568.5/mt, and closed at $14,632/mt, down 0.1%. Trading volume was 10,000 lots, with open interest at 262,000 lots, an increase of 419 lots from the previous trading day, indicating bearish positioning. The most-traded SHFE copper 2610 contract: closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.