Copper Concentrate TCs Remain Low Amid Sluggish Trading

Copper concentrate treatment charges (TCs) remain low due to sluggish trading. The imported copper concentrate spot TC index stood at -$224.63/dmt as of September 24, according to Mysteel.

Some smelters have cut production or plan to reduce output, while others are seeking to lower costs by adjusting feed rates and using non-standard ores and pyrite in their feedstock.

Market sources reported mine tender transactions at -$310/dmt, $228/dmt, $234/dmt, and $238/dmt, with fixed-price transactions concluded at around -$230 to -$235/dmt.

Sulfuric acid prices are also expected to trend downwards due to weakening profits for copper smelters. China's average 98% smelting sulfuric acid price stood at Yuan 1,369/tonne on September 24, falling from Yuan 1,452/tonne on September 18.