Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Pan Pacific copper deal may hurt high-cost smelters

(Reuters) - Japan's top copper smelter, Pan Pacific Copper, has set mid-year copper fees with key miners, including mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd./Plc., at levels that may threaten high-cost refiners.

The low fees mean copper smelters at the higher end of the cost curve may face difficulties, but analysts said most would continue to operate, even at a loss, hoping for a change in market conditions.


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