China accounted for most of the global greenfield and brownfield copper smelting projects in recent years, Ye told delegates at the South China Metals Summitc 2019, organised by SMM in Foshan of Guangdong province on November 7. High treatment charges/refining charges (TC/RCs) and the aim to lift domestic copper self-sufficiency rate was behind the expansion of smelting capacity in China. While TCs for spot copper concentrate came off from highs this year, domestic smelters were not affected significantly, said Ye, citing stable TCs under long-term contracts, which stood at $80.8/mt and secured profits at domestic ... (full story)