LS MnM weighs output adjustments as copper concentrate shortage squeezes smelters

LS MnM, Korea’s only dedicated copper smelter, is considering adjusting copper concentrate purchases and production to protect profitability as a global shortage of the raw material drives processing fees to record lows, the company said Monday. The move comes as London Metal Exchange (LME) Week 2026 opens in London on Monday, bringing together miners, traders and smelters to discuss market conditions and commercial terms. Copper prices are approaching record highs, while spot treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for copper concentrate have plunged to record lows, squeezing smelters’ margins. The imbalance reflects a structural mismatch between constrained mine supply and expanding smelting capacity. In a March analysis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) cited declining ore grades, rising capital costs and lengthy mine development timelines as key constraints on copper concentrate supplies. New smelting capacity is growing faster than mine production, intensifying competition for raw materials. The IEA warned that low TC/RCs could persist over the medium term. The Internationa