Copper suppliers and buyers in Peru

Copper in Peru

Peru is one of the world's largest copper producers. Most production comes from large open-pit mines in the southern Andes and in Áncash. There is also a large sector of small and informal mining, which brings its own risks for buyers.

What is traded and how

• Concentrate makes up most of Peru's copper exports, sold to smelters in Asia and elsewhere under long-term contracts.
• Cathode comes from the refinery at Ilo and from SX-EW plants.
• Ore and small-lot concentrate from small miners are sold to local plants and traders.

Spot concentrate offers are priced on payable copper, minus treatment and refining charges, with penalties for elements such as arsenic. Always agree the assay method, the laboratory and an umpire laboratory in writing.

Routes, ports and paperwork

Copper is exported from Callao, near Lima, and from southern ports such as Matarani and Ilo. Some large mines use their own port terminals. SUNAT handles customs and tax.

A real export comes with a commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and weight, moisture and assay certificates from an independent inspector. For ore or concentrate from small miners, check the concession with INGEMMET and that the miner is formalised or registered with the authorities.

Scams to watch for

• Spot concentrate "from a major mine" offered by a broker with no link to the producer. Large mines sell under contract.
• Fake assay certificates with a high copper grade and no penalty elements. Confirm assays with the laboratory.
• Informal ore with no proof of a valid concession, which can expose the buyer to legal and reputational risk.
• Upfront fees for "export permits" or "port release". See upfront fee scams.

Finding verified buyers and sellers in Peru

Peruvian concentrate is in demand from smelters and traders. Copper Supply lets buyers and sellers find each other and see what has been checked before they talk.

• Free to join and to post. Post a buying requirement or a selling offer. Every listing is checked automatically for fraud signs before it goes live, and stays live for 90 days.
• Every member passes an ID check (ID document and liveness) before they can message anyone or accept an introduction. Companies can be checked against their official registry. Badges show exactly what was checked.
• You choose who you talk to. A member asks for an introduction to your listing. You see their profile and what was checked, and you decide.
• The right people see it fast. Members who trade that product get an email within minutes of a new listing, and every Monday all members get a market report of every live buyer and seller.
• Deal rooms keep the NCNDA, LOI or ICPO, offers, SPA, IMFPA, documents and e-signatures in one private room. A broker who brings buyer and seller together is protected for 2 years on the platform.
• Check papers before you act. Run an SKR, SPA, COA, certificate of origin or bank letter through the document fraud check. The first check is free.

Copper Supply never holds trade money and takes no commission on deals. Before you deal with anyone, search the public scam list.