Domestic refined copper imports soared in 2015

China imported 3.
68 million mt of refined copper last year, up 2.
5% from 2014 and a record high, despite slowing
economic growth, China Customs data showed today.
China's refined imports surged 34.
4% year-on-year to a record 423,181 tonnes in December, breaking the record of 406,937 tonnes
set in December 2011.
Imports in December increased by 18%
from November.

In addition, China's imports of unwrought copper and copper products in December increased by 15.
2% month-on-month and 26% year-on-year to 530,000 tons, the second highest level in a single month after hitting 536,000 tons in January 2014
.

Data released last week by the General Administration of Customs also showed that China imported 4.
81 million tonnes of anode copper, refined copper, copper alloys and semi-finished copper products in 2015, down 0.
2 percent from a record 4.
82 million
tonnes in 2014.