Amid global copper supply chain upheaval, security demands focus

China's dominance in copper smelting is reshaping global supply chains by outstripping smelter capacity growth and driving down refining fees, creating geopolitical risks for copper-exporting nations reliant on China for processing. Western smelters are declining with some closing or requiring bailouts, while Chinese smelters increase output and control nearly 70% of traded copper concentrate, potentially rising to 80% within five years.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Climate Tech and Supply Chain.