Argus Media Limited

10/20/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2021 03:55

China’s Fangyuan starts 300,000 t/yr Cu smelting line

East China's copper smelter Fangyuan today commenced a 300,000 t/yr production line with ignition. It will start feeding raw materials in around two weeks.

The smelter in Shandong province runs 1mn t/yr of nameplate smelting capacity but has operated just a 100,000 t/yr smelting line over the past six months after Fangyuan suspended the 300,000 t/yr line because of a credit crunch.

"Raw materials [of copper concentrates] for the normal operation of the additional 300,000 t/yr smelting line has been booked," a market participant said. "Full production is expected to be as early as in December."

Argus' copper concentrate treatment and refining charges index for smelter purchases has held firm at $65.90/t and 6.59¢/lb since the week of 24 September in a slow market.