China Nonferrous Metallurgy

This paper first discusses the development background of China’s copper industry, and points out that the industry is facing a series of problems such as low self-sufficiency rate of resources, equipment conditions to be improved, and a greater say required in the international copper market. Secondly, taking the characteristics of carbon emissions in the sector into consideration, it is proposed that, apart from copper smelting companies, due attention shall be also be given to the carbon emission reduction of other mining companies, and directional suggestions are given for the carbon emission reduction paths. Thirdly, under the guidance of the “2-stage carbon reduction” goal, the following opportunities and challenges faced by China’s copper industry are analyzed: copper consumption driven by the development of alternative energy source industry, increasing proportion of recycled copper driven by green circular economy, intensified competition pressure brought by industrial transformation & upgrading and yield distribution adjustment. Finally, based on the above analysis, suggestions for low-carbon development of copper industry are given for reference by relevant authorities.