China’s copper industry could face pressure due to the decline in the price of a key moneymaking byproduct, potentially leading to a drop in operating rates, according to a Chinese consultancy.
Prices of sulphuric acid in China have fallen from high levels since September due to weakening demand for fertilizers, according to analysts at SMM Information & Technology Co., Prices of the byproduct in the copper smelting process soared earlier in the year after an unusually tight market, propping up the industry.