The Ongoing Global Demand For Copper, A Key Resource In Electronics And Industry, Has Sparked Concerns Over Supply Security. China, One Of The Largest Consumers Of Copper, Is Exploring Ways To Safeguard Its copper Resources By swapping Aluminium For Copper. This Strategy, As Outlined By Ge Honglin, Chairman Of The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA), could Provide Multiple Benefits To The Country's Resource Management.
China Currently Imports 60% Of Its Aluminium Resources But 70% Of Its Copper Resources, Which Makes The Country Heavily Dependent On Foreign Copper Supplies. Promoting The Use Of aluminium Instead Of copper Could Reduce This Dependency. According To Ge, aluminium Is Much Cheaper Than copper; For Instance, While Copper Costs 77,000 Yuan Per Ton, aluminium is Priced At Just 21,000 Yuan. This Price Difference Provides A Clear Economic Advantage, Particularly For Industries Like Smelting That Rely Heavily On Raw Materials.
One Significant Way To Reduce The Need For Copper Imports Is Through Increased copper recycling. Ge Predicts That China's Recycled Copper Volume Will Rise From 2.5 Million Tons In 2024 To 3.5 Million Tons By 2030. This Increased Recycling Can Help Replace Some Of The Demand For copper Concentrate, Offering A More Sustainable And Cost-effective Solution.
For These Changes To Succeed, Ge Emphasized That Local Governments Must Play A Role In Supporting copper Recycling Initiatives. By Improving Recycling Capacity And Supporting Mergers In The copper Refining Industry, China Can Make Significant Strides Toward Enhancing Its Copper Resource Security. This Would Also Reduce The Demand For Both raw Copper Material and Refined Copper.
Swapping Aluminium For Copper offers A Strategic Way To Secure China’s Future Copper Resources. While It Presents Clear Economic Advantages, Increasing copper Recycling And Government Support Are Essential For Long-term Success.
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