Copper Cathode Supply Concerns Triggered by Sudden COVID Lockdown in Guixi City

Published: Aug 10, 2022 11:45 (GMT+8)

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Guxi city accommodates the largest copper cathode smelter in China with a refining capacity of 1 million mt/year. The news has triggered extensive copper cathode supply concerns when the social inventory is at a historically low level.

SHANGHAI, Aug 10 (SMM) – Starting from 5:30 am on August 10 Beijing time, the entire region of Guixi City, Jiangxi Province will be locked down for COVID-19 pandemic with the end time unknown. Guxi city accommodates the largest copper cathode smelter in China with a refining capacity of 1 million mt/year. The news has triggered extensive copper cathode supply concerns when the social inventory is at a historically low level.

SMM has done a brief investigation of copper smelters and fabricators in Guixi and surrounding regions, who reported little impact suffered in terms of production. The rail transportation is also normal, while the truck transportation is affected to some extent. Some manufacturers believe that this round of COVID lockdown is unlikely to have a significant impact on its production. SMM will keep monitoring the progress of the issue.

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