Copper Market
Trade copper concentrate and copper ore with verified producers across Chile, Peru and the DRC. Full assay documentation, TCRC transparency, and secure settlement on every transaction.
Join the WaitlistCOMEX High Grade Copper futures price (USD per lb), updated every minute.
For the full metals dashboard, see our live prices page.
Copper is the metal of electrification. Its unmatched electrical conductivity makes it indispensable in power grids, electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, electronics, and industrial machinery. As the global economy decarbonises, copper demand is projected to nearly double by 2035 , while supply is increasingly constrained by ore grade decline, permitting delays, and geopolitical risk.
The global copper supply chain starts with mining. Copper ore is extracted and processed into copper concentrate , a powder containing typically 20 to 40% copper along with gold, silver, and other by-products. This concentrate is then sold to smelters, which process it into blister copper (98 to 99% Cu), which is further refined into cathode copper (99.99% Cu) , the exchange-tradeable form settled on the LME and COMEX.
Chile is the world's largest copper producer, accounting for around 27% of global mine output, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (11%), Peru (10%), China (8%), and the US (6%). Major mining operations include Escondida (BHP), Collahuasi (Glencore/Anglo American), Kamoa-Kakula (Ivanhoe Mines), and Cerro Verde (Freeport-McMoRan).
When a miner sells copper concentrate to a smelter, the price is not simply the spot price of copper. The smelter deducts Treatment Charges (TC, expressed in $/dry metric tonne of concentrate) and Refining Charges (RC, expressed in cents/lb of payable copper) to cover processing costs. TCRC levels are negotiated annually in benchmark deals between major miners and smelters. Understanding TCRC is essential for any participant in the copper concentrate market , and OreTrade's platform provides full TCRC transparency on all concentrate listings.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Forms | Copper Concentrate, Blister Copper, Copper Cathode (Grade A), Copper Ore |
| Concentrate Grade Range | 20% to 40% Cu (typical commercial grade) |
| Trading Unit | Dry Metric Tonne (DMT) for concentrate; Metric Tonne for refined |
| Typical Cargo Size | 10,000 to 80,000 DMT (concentrate); 1,000 to 25,000 MT (cathode) |
| Major Origins | Chile, Peru, DRC, Zambia, Australia, Mexico |
| Benchmark | LME Grade A Copper (cash and 3-month) |
| Settlement | CIF, CFR, FOB, CIP |
| Pricing Period | Quotational period around B/L date (typically M+1 or M+2) |
Every copper listing is backed by mining licence verification, accredited assay certification and full counterparty KYC before it appears on the platform.
Full treatment and refining charge disclosure on every concentrate listing , no hidden deductions, no ambiguity.
Each cargo carries a Digital Product Passport with conflict-free status, chain of custody, and ESG disclosures ready for your sustainability reporting.
OreTrade launches in 2026. Join the waitlist for early access.
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