The China Smelters Purchase Team called for fixed treatment and refining charges on copper concentrate purchases instead of index-linked terms. Fastmarkets’ Asia-Pacific treatment-charge index fell to negative $263.80 per tonne on September 18. Smelters discussed production cuts as concentrate availability tightened and domestic sulfuric acid prices weakened. Sources said some plants were already reducing output or using alternative feedstocks. The team issued no fourth-quarter buying guidance, its seventh consecutive quarter without one.
