China’s Copper Smelting Dominance Raises Western Concerns

China now smelts about 60% of the world’s copper and refines a similar share. This commanding grip worries veteran metallurgist Phillip Mackey. He warns it could take Western nations decades and billions of dollars to challenge this control.

China produces 12 million to 13 million tonnes of refined copper annually. This makes up roughly half of the 26 million tonnes produced worldwide. While China mines only about 8% of global copper, it operates about 45 smelters. Some of these are among the largest ever built.

China built its dominance over 25 years using state-backed financing and large industrial scale. During this time, the United States reduced its copper smelter fleet from about a dozen to just two facilities. This imbalance caused treatment and refining charges, paid by miners, to fall near zero.

Rebuilding Western smelting capacity is possible but requires long-term commitment. A modern copper smelter costs several billion dollars and takes close to a decade to build. Governments have introduced critical minerals policies but lack sufficient funding and permitting reforms.

Copper recycling offers one area where North America and Europe hold an advantage. Scrap metal can be processed at a smaller scale and lower cost. However, recycling alone cannot close the processing gap.