China Tightens Rules on New Copper Smelters to Curb Overcapacity
- Global concentrate shortage has impacted Chinese plants
- Nation to boost copper mine resources 5-10% in coming years
This article is for subscribers only.
China has tightened requirements for building new copper smelters, in its latest attempt to curb relentless capacity expansion in the world’s top producer of the refined metal.
Companies building new copper smelters should control enough mine supply — via outright ownership or equity stakes — to feed the plants, according to a 2025-2027 development plan for the country’s copper industry jointly issued by 11 ministries. This condition would likely be met by only a small number of major Chinese companies.