Latest news with #TCRC
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Explained: Why copper smelters are now paying to process ore—and what this means for India's clean energy future?
New Delhi: For the first time in decades, copper smelters are facing a situation where processing ore is becoming a loss-making business. Treatment and Refining Charges (TCRC), which smelters earn for converting copper concentrate into refined metal, have dropped to zero—or worse, turned negative. This means some smelters are now paying more for raw copper ore than the value they recover after refining it. This shift is not only rewriting global smelting economics but also raising serious questions for India's industrial strategy, especially at a time when domestic copper demand is climbing due to the rise of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and power grid expansion. What are TCRC and why do they matter? TCRC—or Treatment and Refining Charges—are what smelters charge for processing copper concentrate into refined metal. Historically, these charges have provided a stable revenue stream to offset the costs of running smelters. But when concentrate supply tightens and smelting capacity outpaces ore availability, competition drives down TCRC. This has now reached an unprecedented point where the charges are so low that smelters are losing money on each tonne processed. According to Rajib Maitra, Partner at Deloitte India, this sharp fall is due to three structural causes. First, mining disruptions in countries such as Panama, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reduced global concentrate supply. Indonesia's ban on copper concentrate exports has made the market even tighter. Second, there has been a global decline in ore grades, making copper harder and more expensive to extract. And third, smelting capacity—particularly in China—is expanding faster than mine output, causing an imbalance in the global value chain. How China's strategy shaped the TCRC collapse? China's dominance in the copper smelting ecosystem is a key driver behind the collapse in TCRC. With over 44 percent of global refined copper capacity, China is not just a consumer but a commanding force in how global contracts are structured. Its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have invested heavily in long-term offtake agreements and equity stakes in overseas copper mines. This gives Chinese smelters first access to concentrates and allows them to negotiate more favourable terms. China has also led the world in building new smelting capacity, often subsidised or supported by the state, leading to global oversupply in refining infrastructure without a corresponding increase in ore. As Maitra notes, this has left smaller and newer smelters—especially those without mining assets—struggling to stay afloat in a market where the economics no longer work. An industry expert, speaking anonymously, pointed out that China's grip is not commercial but strategic. 'The TCRC market is no longer market-driven—it's China-driven. Chinese SOEs control long-term contracts and have built capacity at a pace unmatched by mine supply. Their approach has been nationalist, not commercial. They locked up ore sources and now dictate global terms. New smelters outside China are entering a race with no oxygen.' Where does India stand in this shifting global equation? Indian smelters are somewhat insulated from this collapse, but only in the short term. Recent policy moves—such as the elimination of the 2.5 percent Basic Customs Duty on copper ore in the FY25 Budget and the removal of the duty on copper scrap in FY26—have reduced input costs for Indian refiners. In addition, domestic smelters have adopted modern technologies such as the Mitsubishi and NERIN processes. These allow for better metal recovery and more efficient use of by-products like gold, silver, and sulfuric acid. The latter is especially important in India, where sulfuric acid is a key input in the fertiliser sector and is subsidised. These by-products have helped smelters partially offset the losses from copper refining , but only those with integrated operations and advanced recovery techniques have managed to do so. Greenfield or standalone smelters without secure access to concentrates remain vulnerable to market volatility. What does the future look like for Indian copper refiners? The situation is unlikely to improve unless India addresses its structural dependence on imported concentrates. As Pallab Dutta, Partner – Metals and Mining at PwC India, notes, 'The collapse in global TCRC levels has exposed a structural vulnerability in India's copper refining landscape—its heavy reliance on imported concentrates.' He suggests two broad pathways to future resilience. One is to better organise the domestic copper scrap ecosystem, increasing recycling and reducing dependence on imported ore. The second is to accelerate copper mining within India, backed by policy reforms and faster project clearances. Without these interventions, the industry risks losing competitiveness as input costs continue to rise and margins remain squeezed. What can government policy do to stabilize the industry? Maitra believes a mix of trade, fiscal, and strategic policy tools can offer relief. One step could be reviewing Free Trade Agreements with regions like ASEAN, the UAE, and Japan, to prevent duty-free access for refined copper imports, which undercuts domestic smelters. Another is to consider raising the current five percent import duty on refined copper to give local refiners a buffer. He also suggests exploring the idea of a Strategic Copper Reserve, similar to India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to ensure a steady supply of copper concentrates in times of global disruption. Government support in R&D for improving by-product recovery could also help improve the economics of copper refining. Why this matters now more than ever? India's energy transition is copper-intensive. From power grids and electric vehicles to solar panels and industrial wiring, copper is critical to meeting clean energy goals. As demand rises, the ability to refine copper domestically becomes a national economic and strategic priority. If smelters continue to operate at a loss or scale down due to unviable margins, India could end up importing more refined copper at a higher cost. That could have a cascading effect on downstream industries, energy pricing, and manufacturing competitiveness. Companies are now looking to secure long-term concentrate supply from copper-rich nations like Chile, Peru, and Australia to reduce dependence on volatile spot markets. Maximising the recovery of rare by-products such as molybdenum, selenium, tellurium, and nickel is also seen as a key lever to maintain profitability. There is also growing focus on enhancing copper recycling and investing in secondary refining, which can offer more stable economics and environmental benefits. The road ahead The TCRC collapse is not just a market disruption; it is a signal of deeper structural shifts in the global copper supply chain. For India, the response will need to go beyond import duty tweaks and efficiency upgrades. It will require a national strategy that looks at resource security, trade policy, and supply chain resilience in an integrated manner. If the country is serious about becoming a clean energy leader, it must ensure that its copper industry is not priced out of its own future.
Reuters
20-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Copper smelters are facing both market and pricing crises
LONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - Copper smelters are now so desperate to find raw material they are paying miners for converting their concentrates into refined metal. So-called treatment and refining charges (TCRC) should be a core revenue stream for copper smelters but spot charges have been negative since the start of the year and the mid-year negotiations have also kicked off with a negative number. Low treatment charges feed copper's perennial bull narrative of too little mine supply but the current implosion in processing fees is as much about too much demand from too many new smelters. The imbalance looks unsustainable, particularly if smelters accept a negative charge for the mid-year talks, which set the price for much higher volumes than the spot market. But equally unsustainable is the copper industry's preference for pricing concentrates on an annual or semi-annual basis. The good news for smelters is that spot treatment charges appear to have stopped falling. The bad news is that they have done no more than stabilise at $-45 per ton (TC) and -4.5 cents per lb (RC) level, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Smelters which chose to lock in tonnages over the full year are partly insulated but this year's benchmark terms of $21.5 per ton were also the lowest in at least 20 years. The mid-year negotiations look likely to generate a still lower outcome, although smelters will understandably balk at locking in a negative TCRC for contracts that could run into 2026. Smelters have a couple of financial life-lines in the form of valuable by-products such as gold and silver. They also produce sulphuric acid, which has been rising sharply in price in China thanks to demand from the phosphate fertilizer industry. But a copper smelter's main source of income should really be copper, which is clearly not the case right now. It's not as if mines haven't been increasing production. Global output rose by 2.1% in 2023, 2.8% in 2024 and by another 1.2% in the first quarter of this year, according to the International Copper Study Group. China's imports of copper concentrates have been running strong, hitting a new annual high of 28.2 million tons bulk weight last year and up 7.5% year-on-year in the first four months of 2025. It's just that too much Chinese smelting capacity has been brought on line too quickly with newcomers chasing down available tonnage. Scrap is an alternative feed for some but this is an increasingly competitive market and Chinese imports of copper recyclable material are no more than flat so far this year relative to 2024. The rapid scale-up of Chinese processing capacity is clear to see in the country's production of refined metal. May output jumped by almost 14% year-on-year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Local data provider Shanghai Metal Market estimates production so far this year has grown by 11% over 2024 levels. A couple of Western smelters have already closed under the margin squeeze. Glencore (GLEN.L), opens new tab placed its Pasar smelter in the Philippines on care and maintenance in February. Sinomine did the same with its Tsumeb plant in Namibia earlier this month. But Chinese operators are doubling down in what appears to be a last-man-standing strategy. The world's mines are not going to be able to lift collective output by the same margin as China has increased smelting capacity. And the stresses in the raw materials supply chain are only going to get worse as new smelters fire up in Indonesia, ending the country's role as a key concentrates supplier to Asian smelters. Something will have to give, particularly since Chinese copper demand is expected to cool due to a scaling-back of subsidies for the over-heated solar panel sector. But with Chinese smelters not blinking, it could take some time before the current supply-demand imbalance is corrected through more capacity closures. That means more stress also on the industry's price discovery process, which is still rooted in annual deals. There has been some movement towards quarterly pricing and even spot pricing but largely in China. This, as smelters are finding out, is a big problem if the annual price is a negative number. A negative mid-year deal sets an ominous precedent. Markets such as iron ore have moved away from annual benchmarks which couldn't capture spot price volatility or sudden shifts in supply dynamics. Even lithium, widely perceived as too bespoke a commodity for standardised futures trading, can now be hedged on a liquid CME contract. It may be time for copper smelters to have a fundamental rethink about how they price their role in the processing chain. Because right now they're quite literally giving money away to the miners. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters
Globe and Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
CPKC receives arbitration decision establishing new TCRC collective agreements
CALGARY , AB , May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today said it has received an arbitrator's ruling establishing new collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) – Train and Engine (T&E) division and the TCRC - Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (RCTC) division. Arbitrator William Kaplan issued his ruling after the completion of multiple rounds of mediation and ultimately the conclusion of the interest arbitration process. The arbitrator's ruling establishes terms of new four-year contracts with both TCRC bargaining units. TCRC – T&E represents approximately 3,200 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across Canada . TCRC – RCTC represents approximately 80 rail traffic controllers in Canada . The new collective agreements with the TCRC divisions, effective from January 1, 2024 , through December 31, 2027 , include annual wage increases of 3%. The provisions outlined in the arbitrator's award do not require ratification. The establishment of these multi-year collective agreements involving train crews and rail traffic controllers come after the ratification earlier this year of three new collective agreements reached at the bargaining table between CPKC and unions representing thousands of mechanical, engineering, clerical and intermodal employees in Canada . Together, these agreements bring labour stability to CPKC operations in Canada , allowing efficient and dependable rail service to continue uninterrupted for years to come. Forward looking information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in both the U.S. and Canada . Any statements about CPKC's expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, targets, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions, information and statements about possible future events, conditions and results of operations or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements in respect of the collective bargaining agreements entered into between CPKC TCRC divisions, and the effects and results stemming therefrom. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates", "aims", "strives", "seeks", "believes", "can", "could", "may", "predicts", "potential", "should", "will", "estimates", "plans", "mileposts", "projects", "continuing", "ongoing", "expects", "intends" and similar words or phrases suggesting future outcomes. The forward-looking information that may be in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to CPKC's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: applicable laws, regulations and government policies; and CPKC's relationship with TCRC going-forward. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. By its nature, CPKC's forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, including but not limited to the following factors: general North American and global economic and business conditions; changes in laws and regulations; and labour disputes. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These and other factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CPKC with the securities regulators in Canada and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States . Readers should refer to "Item 1A - Risk Factors" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Information" in CPKC's annual reports on Form 10-K and to our risk factor and forward-looking information disclosure in our Form 10-Q filed on SEDAR+ ( and EDGAR ( Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections and it is possible that predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forms of forward-looking information will not be achieved by CPKC. Except as required by law, CPKC undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About CPKC With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta. , Canada , CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada , the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf Coast to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CPKC receives arbitration decision establishing new TCRC collective agreements
CALGARY, AB , May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today said it has received an arbitrator's ruling establishing new collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) – Train and Engine (T&E) division and the TCRC - Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (RCTC) division. Arbitrator William Kaplan issued his ruling after the completion of multiple rounds of mediation and ultimately the conclusion of the interest arbitration process. The arbitrator's ruling establishes terms of new four-year contracts with both TCRC bargaining units. TCRC – T&E represents approximately 3,200 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across Canada. TCRC – RCTC represents approximately 80 rail traffic controllers in Canada. The new collective agreements with the TCRC divisions, effective from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2027, include annual wage increases of 3%. The provisions outlined in the arbitrator's award do not require ratification. The establishment of these multi-year collective agreements involving train crews and rail traffic controllers come after the ratification earlier this year of three new collective agreements reached at the bargaining table between CPKC and unions representing thousands of mechanical, engineering, clerical and intermodal employees in Canada. Together, these agreements bring labour stability to CPKC operations in Canada, allowing efficient and dependable rail service to continue uninterrupted for years to come. Forward looking information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in both the U.S. and Canada. Any statements about CPKC's expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, targets, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions, information and statements about possible future events, conditions and results of operations or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements in respect of the collective bargaining agreements entered into between CPKC TCRC divisions, and the effects and results stemming therefrom. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates", "aims", "strives", "seeks", "believes", "can", "could", "may", "predicts", "potential", "should", "will", "estimates", "plans", "mileposts", "projects", "continuing", "ongoing", "expects", "intends" and similar words or phrases suggesting future outcomes. The forward-looking information that may be in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to CPKC's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: applicable laws, regulations and government policies; and CPKC's relationship with TCRC going-forward. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. By its nature, CPKC's forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, including but not limited to the following factors: general North American and global economic and business conditions; changes in laws and regulations; and labour disputes. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These and other factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CPKC with the securities regulators in Canada and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States. Readers should refer to "Item 1A - Risk Factors" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Information" in CPKC's annual reports on Form 10-K and to our risk factor and forward-looking information disclosure in our Form 10-Q filed on SEDAR+ ( and EDGAR ( Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections and it is possible that predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forms of forward-looking information will not be achieved by CPKC. Except as required by law, CPKC undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About CPKC With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf Coast to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CPKC View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
30-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CPKC receives arbitration decision establishing new TCRC collective agreements
CALGARY, AB , May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) today said it has received an arbitrator's ruling establishing new collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) – Train and Engine (T&E) division and the TCRC - Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (RCTC) division. Arbitrator William Kaplan issued his ruling after the completion of multiple rounds of mediation and ultimately the conclusion of the interest arbitration process. The arbitrator's ruling establishes terms of new four-year contracts with both TCRC bargaining units. TCRC – T&E represents approximately 3,200 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across Canada. TCRC – RCTC represents approximately 80 rail traffic controllers in Canada. The new collective agreements with the TCRC divisions, effective from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2027, include annual wage increases of 3%. The provisions outlined in the arbitrator's award do not require ratification. The establishment of these multi-year collective agreements involving train crews and rail traffic controllers come after the ratification earlier this year of three new collective agreements reached at the bargaining table between CPKC and unions representing thousands of mechanical, engineering, clerical and intermodal employees in Canada. Together, these agreements bring labour stability to CPKC operations in Canada, allowing efficient and dependable rail service to continue uninterrupted for years to come. Forward looking information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in both the U.S. and Canada. Any statements about CPKC's expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, targets, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions, information and statements about possible future events, conditions and results of operations or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements in respect of the collective bargaining agreements entered into between CPKC TCRC divisions, and the effects and results stemming therefrom. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates", "aims", "strives", "seeks", "believes", "can", "could", "may", "predicts", "potential", "should", "will", "estimates", "plans", "mileposts", "projects", "continuing", "ongoing", "expects", "intends" and similar words or phrases suggesting future outcomes. The forward-looking information that may be in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to CPKC's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: applicable laws, regulations and government policies; and CPKC's relationship with TCRC going-forward. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. By its nature, CPKC's forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, including but not limited to the following factors: general North American and global economic and business conditions; changes in laws and regulations; and labour disputes. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These and other factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CPKC with the securities regulators in Canada and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States. Readers should refer to "Item 1A - Risk Factors" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Information" in CPKC's annual reports on Form 10-K and to our risk factor and forward-looking information disclosure in our Form 10-Q filed on SEDAR+ ( and EDGAR ( Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections and it is possible that predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forms of forward-looking information will not be achieved by CPKC. Except as required by law, CPKC undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About CPKC With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf Coast to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR
