Loading buyers and suppliers
Loading buyers and suppliers
Chile · copper producer
Chile is the world's largest copper producer, with most output from large mines in the north. Large producers sell mainly under long-term contracts, so be careful with brokers offering spot cargoes from big Chilean brands. On Copper Supply you can post a requirement or an offer for free, see what has been checked about every member, and have documents reviewed.
Chile has been the world's largest copper producer for decades. Most output comes from very large mines in the Atacama Desert, especially in the Antofagasta region, with more in Tarapacá, Atacama and central Chile. Codelco, the state copper company, is one of the largest producers, alongside private mines such as Escondida and Collahuasi.
For spot buyers, real Chilean material is usually bought through the producer's own sales team or a large trading house, not through a chain of mandates.
Copper is exported from northern ports such as Antofagasta and Mejillones, and from central ports such as San Antonio. Exports are cleared by Aduanas, the national customs service. Cochilco tracks and reports on the copper sector.
A real shipment comes with a commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, weight and assay certificates from an independent inspector, and for cathode, a brand and LME registration you can check.
Chilean copper attracts a lot of fake mandates. On Copper Supply you can see who is behind a listing and what has been checked before you sign anything.
Copper Supply never holds trade money and takes no commission on deals. Before you deal with anyone, search the members-only scam list.
Free to join. Copper Supply never holds trade money and takes no commission on deals.
Codelco sells through its own commercial team, mostly under annual or longer contracts with established buyers. Offers from third parties claiming to be a 'Codelco mandate' with spot cargo at a discount are a common scam. Contact the producer through its official website to check any claim.
Expect a commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, packing list, and weight and assay certificates from an independent inspector. Cathode should have an identifiable brand, which you can check against the LME list where it is LME registered.
ENAMI, the state mining company, buys ore and concentrate from small and medium miners. Private plants and traders also buy. Check the buyer's company and terms before you deliver.
Northern ports such as Antofagasta and Mejillones handle much of the copper from the Atacama mines, and central ports such as San Antonio serve mines further south. Some large mines use their own port terminals.
Documents2 min read
The standards behind Grade A cathode, why purity claims on concentrate and ore can be impossible, and what to put in the contract.
Read the guideScams & fraud2 min read
"I am direct to the seller." So is everyone else in the chain. A real case of a six-month chase, and how to reach the principal in a week.
Read the guideScams & fraud3 min read
Deep LME discounts on Grade A cathode are how many scams start. What discounts we actually saw on real offers, and what pushes a price lower or higher.
Read the guideChecking people
Post it free. Members who trade that product get an email within minutes, and only ID-checked people can contact you.
Copper in Chile: key facts
Ask for the brand, the producer, and proof of title. Check the brand on the LME list and confirm the seller's link to the producer through the producer's official contacts. On Copper Supply, badges show what ID and company checks a seller has passed.
Everyone says they have stock. Five checks that separate sellers who control copper from people forwarding someone else's offer.