Norilsk Nickel Forecasts Copper Concentrate Deficit, Zero Benchmark TCs for 2026
Russian base metal producer Norilsk Nickel expects the global copper concentrate market to remain in undersupply in 2026, with a deficit of 751,000 mt, which will continue to put pressure on processing enterprises' profits.The company stated in its copper market outlook report released on June 23 that benchmark treatment charges (TCs) for copper concentrates under the 2026 annual contract framework have been set at $0/mt, down from $21/mt in 2025, as smelting capacity continues to compete for scarce concentrate supply.