Copper prices are expected to average $2.15 per lb (about $4,739 per tonne) this year and $2.20 per lb next year, with the red metal unlikely to return to super cycle highs, according to the mining minister of Chile.

Freeport-McMoRan expects lower contractual treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for copper concentrates next year, reflecting the company’s expectation that an unexpectedly strong period for mined copper production may soon end, senior vp of sales and marketing Javier Targhetta told Metal Bulletin.

Here comes the third instalment of Geoffrey Sambrook's fictional trading tale.

Copper and nickel are expected to be the bull markets for 2017 despite their comparatively poor year-to-date performances, delegates said at Macquarie Research's LME Week Base Metals Outlook Seminar.

The London Metal Exchange needs to boost liquidity by further reducing its trading fees, fight back against over-regulation and ensure its own rules don’t disadvantage market users, particularly in the area of high frequency trading, the co-founder of Red Kite Group said.

Copper cathode producers and buyers are discussing more alternative options for next year’s long-term contracts after contractual volumes sold during the past two years have shrunk, market participants told Metal Bulletin.

Codelco is committed to being “reasonable” with its 2017 copper premium offer to China and will lower the benchmark to a level that is closer to the spot market, senior commercial vp Rodrigo Toro told Metal Bulletin.

The CME is snapping at the heels of the London Metal Exchange in the copper market, with the gap in trading volumes between the two exchanges narrowing this year.

Anglo American plans to continue to exercise discipline in its asset disposal programme and remains in negotiations for further sales, the company’s ceo said.

Privately-owned commodities trading firm Levmet has opened a new London office to help facilitate its growing trading activities.