COPPER PRICE — ZAMBIA
Reference price, ore grades, payable % and export notes for copper producers and traders in Zambia. MetalPulse never shows a bare price — every figure carries source, units, market type and timestamp.
Reference price and source
Quoted as USD per tonne (LME), sourced from LME Cu cash settlement. Local-currency conversion uses the central bank mid-rate at calculation time. We classify each row as live, delayed, proxy or forecast.
Ore grades and concentrate basis
Typical ranges: ore 0.5–4 % Cu; concentrate 22–30 % Cu. Always specify dry metric tonne (DMT) basis when negotiating — moisture deduction is separate.
Payable % and buyer deductions
96–96.65 % for clean concentrate (≥25 % Cu). Common deductions: TC $70–90/dmt, RC $0.07–0.09/lb payable Cu, 1 % unit deductible, As/Sb/Bi penalties.
Export from Zambia
Zambia is Africa's top copper producer. Concentrate and cathode exit via Solwezi-to-Dar es Salaam (Tazara/road) or south through Zimbabwe/SA. Mineral royalty 5.5–10 % on copper, sliding with LME price.
Frequently asked questions
What is today's copper price?
MetalPulse tracks the LME Cu cash settlement live. The number on this page is updated continuously; the full dashboard shows the exact age and source classification.
How is copper ore valued?
Value = tonnes × grade fraction × recovery × payable % × reference price, then less treatment/refining charges and transport. Use the ore value calculator below.
What is the typical payable % for copper?
96–96.65 % for clean concentrate (≥25 % Cu)