Copper

Copper is a reddish-brown metal known for its excellent conductivity, ductility, and malleability. It is mainly mined from ores such as chalcopyrite and is produced in countries like Chile, Peru, and China. Copper is widely used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and electronics due to its ability to conduct electricity and heat efficiently.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Copper Clippings	Cu Clippings	Cu 99.9-100%	10-80 mm
Copper Cut Cathodes 1X1	Cu 1×1	Cu >99%	2.5×2.5 cm
Copper Cut Cathodes 4X4	Cu 4×4	Cu >99%	10×10 cm
Copper Full Plate Cathodes	Cu Caths	Cu 99.4-100%	100×100 cm
Copper Granules	Cu Granules	Cu 58-100%	0-10 mm
Copper Scrap	Cu Scrap	Cu 96-100%	0-50 mm

Please note that the above listed sub-categories including its core content and size ranges are just a snapshot of Metalshub’s currently traded raw materials. We are adding new sub-categories on a monthly basis and would be happy to assess your specific requirements to this category.

Metalshub provides producers and consumers of copper with a software solution to improve the way they buy or sell it. Our software connects over 2,000 companies in a joint trading network. This allows sellers to discover new buyers of copper and buyers to discover new suppliers of copper.

For buyers, Metalshub’s Procurement Solution allows smelters, foundries, and other consumers to digitalise their procurement process in order to increase sourcing efficiency, ensure compliant buying, and take data-driven decisions. For sellers, Metalshub’s Sales Solution allows smelters, recyclers, traders, and other sellers to digitalise their sales process, manage inventory, and optimise their sales book.

Several institutions provide pricing and analysis for copper:

1. London Metal Exchange (LME): The LME is one of the primary global exchanges for copper futures, providing price discovery and the ability to hedge against copper price risk. They offer detailed pricing data and market insights​ (LME).
2. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME): CME Group provides copper futures trading, offering risk management tools such as volatility indices and options. Their platform is widely used by traders and manufacturers to manage copper price risk​ (CME Group).
3. Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE): The SHFE tracks copper futures and provides price assessments relevant to the Chinese market, making it a key platform for regional copper trading​ (Argus Media).
4. Fastmarkets: Fastmarkets offers journalistic copper price data, including insights into global supply and demand trends. Fastmarkets tracks various forms of copper, including concentrates, wire, and scrap, making it a valuable resource for market participants ​(Fastmarkets).
5. S&P Global: S&P provides journalistic copper market forecasts and price predictions, especially focused on the factors driving demand, such as the energy transition and the increasing role of copper in electric vehicles​ (S&P Global).

Beyond these five examples, other providers may also provide prices.

The top producers of copper are:

• Chile – ~30% of global copper production, the largest producer worldwide
• Peru – ~10% of global copper production
• China – ~<10%, both a producer and major consumer of copper.
• United States – ~<10% of global copper production
• Democratic Republic of Congo – ~5% of global copper production

Some of the key producers of copper include:

• Codelco (Chile) – ~10% of global copper production
• Freeport-McMoRan (USA) – ~<10% of global copper production
• BHP (Australia) – ~5% of global copper production
• Glencore (Switzerland) – ~5% of global copper production
• Antofagasta PLC (Chile) – ~5% of global copper production

Copper is primarily mined from large open-pit and underground mines. The ore is crushed and ground, then processed through flotation to concentrate the copper. The concentrated ore is smelted, producing copper anodes, which are further refined into pure copper cathodes through electrolysis. Copper scrap is also recycled extensively, reducing the need for new mining.

Copper is primarily used in electrical wiring and electronics (~60%), where its high conductivity is essential. It is also used in plumbing and construction (~20%) and in manufacturing machinery and transport equipment (~15%).