Get started

China copper group sets Q2 base level for treatment charges at $78

China’s ten largest copper smelters have set the base level for their treatment and refining charges (TCs/RCs) for the second quarter of this year 10.3% lower than in the first quarter, Metal Bulletin has heard.

April 3, 2018
By Generic people page
Base metals Copper

The China Smelters Purchase Team (CSPT) agreed during a meeting in Shanghai last Friday to fix the minimum levels for TCs at $78 per tonne and for RCs at $0.078 per lb, a source close to the matter said.

Those figures compare with the price floors for the first quarter of 2018 at $87 per tonne and $0.087 per lb.

The price was 5.2% lower than 2018’s TCs/RCs benchmark of $82.25/8.225 agreed last year between copper producers Freeport and Tongling Nonferrous, which took the lead in annual negotiations for the first time.

Other than Tongling, the CSPT members include Jiangxi Copper, Daye Nonferrous, China Gold, Baiyin Nonferrous, Gansu Jinchuan, Yunnan Copper, Zhongtiaoshan, Yantai Guorun and Zijin Mining.

At the end of March, copper concentrate TCs/RCs ticked lower, with traders continuing to bid lower for spot material and smelters readjusting bids downward.

The Metal Bulletin copper concentrates TCs/RCs index was $66 per tonne/6.60 cents per lb on March 29, down from $68.60/6.86 two weeks ago.
 

What to read next
Delayed publication of Shanghai nickel full plate premiums: pricing notice
The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessments of the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, and the nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, cif Shanghai for Tuesday May 26 were delayed because of a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were affected:MB-NI-0143 Nickel min 99.8% full plate premium, in-whs Shanghai, […]
May 27, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Copper coils up close
Hudbay, Capstone and Ero post strong Q1 results as lower grades weigh on copper concentrate output
Copper producers, including Atlas Mining, reported higher earnings in the first quarter of 2026 on the back of elevated copper prices, while concentrate output declined at several operations in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and the Philippines due to lower ore grades and disruptions, according to company results reviewed by Fastmarkets.
May 26, 2026
 · 
By Julienne Raboca
Fastmarkets amends publication times, holiday pricing schedule for Asian base metals assessments: pricing notice
The amendment follows the decision made on May 14, after a consultation period for the proposed changes which took place between April 3 and May 11. The changes were first proposed in a pricing note published on April 3.  The purpose of the changes is to align the publication times to the activity in the […]
May 21, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Proposal to amend frequency of cif Japan and Korea nickel sulfate assessments: pricing notice
The proposal follows Fastmarkets’ observations that the commodity sees inactive spot liquidity and low volatility in prices. The proposed new specifications for the prices are as follows, with the amendments in italics: MB-NI-0246 Nickel sulfate, cif Japan and Korea, $/tonneQuality: Accepted by buyer for use in battery applications with chemical composition: Ni content, base 22.3% […]
May 20, 2026
 · 
By Sybil Pan
Proposal to amend minimum tonnage specification for aluminium P1020A (MJP) spot Premium, cif Japan: pricing notice
Based on preliminary market feedback, market participants noted that smaller-sized spot market transactions may be skewed and not reflective of the wider market. The aluminium P1020A(MJP), cif Japan, assessment specification which has a minimum tonnage of 100 tonnes will be amended to 500 tonnes after the proposed change. The proposed new specifications are as follows, […]
May 18, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Fastmarkets decides to amend publication times, holiday pricing schedule for Asian base metals assessments: pricing notice
Fastmarkets consulted the market on the proposed change between April 3 and May 11, 2026. Some feedback was received regarding the publication times of nickel pig iron and laterite ore prices. Fastmarkets will adjust the initially proposed publication times accordingly and proceed with the changes. This decision was first proposed in a methodology note published […]
May 14, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team