China Copper Output May Drop on Scrap Shortage This Year

Refined copper production in China may fall 500,000 metric tons in 2013, about 9 percent of the output last year, on a scrap shortage and delayed commissioning of new facilities, the nation’s third-largest producer said.

“Scrap supply will be even tighter going into June,” said Chen Jie, head of sales and marketing unit of Jinchuan Group Co. The smelter’s own refined production may fall short of a target of 600,000 tons this year by at least 100,000 tons, Chen said in a phone interview today.