Next week, Chinese smelters will commence the first round of mid-year negotiations with miners, with tender results to be unveiled and TCs stabilizing at the mid-point of $40 [SMM Copper Concentrates Spot Weekly Review]

Published: May 23, 2025 14:44

》Check SMM metal quotes, data, and market analysis

》Subscribe to view historical price trends of SMM metal spot cargo             

       

       

     

       On May 23, the SMM Imported Copper Concentrate Index (weekly) was reported at -$44.28/dmt, a decrease of $1.23/dmt from the previous -$43.05/dmt. The pricing coefficient for 20% grade domestic trade ore ranged from 93% to 95%.

       During the week, the LME conference reduced the activity of spot copper concentrate transactions and inquiries/offers. The tender results from Newmont were announced, with a winning bid price of -$80 for 20,000 mt of Red Chris copper ore, with shipment periods of July for 10,000 mt and November for 10,000 mt. The tender results for 10,000 mt of standard clean ore from a major miner to a smelter were also announced, with a winning bid price in the mid -$40s and a shipment period of July. A trader offered 10,000 mt of clean ore to a smelter, with an RC close to the mid -$40s and a shipment period of June.

       During the week, Antofagasta initiated the first round of mid-year long-term contract negotiations with Japanese smelters and will commence the first round of negotiations with Chinese smelters in the next period. The first round of negotiations will only involve the exchange of fundamental information.

      After a fire-related shutdown in October last year, Freeport Indonesia's Manyar smelter resumed operations ahead of schedule and is expected to start producing copper cathode in the fourth week of June and reach full capacity by December.

       In the past week, seismic activity occurred in the eastern section of the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine. Ivanhoe Mines stated that all employees had been safely evacuated with no injuries. On May 18, Ivanhoe Mines suspended underground mining operations at the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine. Ivanhoe Mines indicated that seismic activity had significantly decreased in the past 24 hours, and operations might resume soon.

       Anglo Asian Mining's Gilar copper-gold mine at Gedabek in Azerbaijan has commenced production. The mine aims to extract 2,000 mt of ore per day. After steady growth, monthly ore production is expected to reach 50,000 to 60,000 mt.

       On May 23, the SMM copper concentrate inventory at nine ports was 780,300 mt, a decrease of 39,400 mt from the previous period. The main reduction came from Jinzhou Port, where copper concentrate inventory decreased by 38,000 mt WoW this week.

     

 

 

   

 

                                                                                                                 》Check the SMM metal industry chain database

 

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
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Read More
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to study policy measures for promoting effective investment. The meeting noted that promoting effective investment plays an important role in stabilizing economic growth and strengthening momentum for development. It is necessary to innovate and improve policy measures, and intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of utilizing funds such as central budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, local government special bonds, and new-type policy-based financial instruments. In conjunction with formulating and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Read More
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the plenary sessions of the Party’s 20th Central Committee, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, strengthen top-level design, build computing power interconnection nodes oriented toward national hub periods, major strategic regions, and key industries, establish a system of computing power interconnection nodes, improve the efficiency and service level of public computing power resources, and promote high-quality development of computing power.
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Read More
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
After intensive indirect consultations, the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has achieved phased progress. It is reported that during this round of talks, the Iranian and US delegations did not meet directly. Instead, Omani Foreign Minister Badr acted as an intermediary, conveying a series of core proposals, strategic concerns, and policy positions to the other side. The atmosphere at the talks was tense yet efficient. According to preliminary on-site assessments, although both sides continue to negotiate over specific terms, they have reached a consensus on the key objective of "continuing dialogue."
Feb 6, 2026 23:47