Copper Cathode (LME Grade A, Cu-CATH-1)

LME Grade A electrolytic copper cathode to BS EN 1978 Cu-CATH-1 and ASTM B115 Grade 1, listed brands and off-brand, verified before payment

Copper cathode is bought on grade, brand and proof that the metal exists. The LME Grade A contract calls for cathode conforming to BS EN 1978:2022 Cu-CATH-1 or ASTM B115-10 (2021) Grade 1; ASTM describes Grade 1 cathode as meeting the chemistry of copper UNS C11040 apart from oxygen and suitable for wire rod, which is why rod mills and cable makers buy it. Metal from a brand listed with the LME has a known chemistry and is deliverable against the contract; off-brand cathode from an unlisted refinery is bought on its own certificate of analysis at a discount, with independent sampling. LME-listed brands must also meet the exchange's responsible-sourcing requirements, which are built on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. On the trade, UN Comtrade 2024 export declarations under HS 7403.11 (refined copper cathodes and sections of cathodes) sum to USD 60.94 billion across the reporting countries, led by Chile (USD 17.23 billion; 1.86 million MT), Japan (USD 6.14 billion; 690,795 MT), China (USD 4.44 billion), Kazakhstan (USD 3.66 billion), Australia (USD 3.55 billion), Poland (USD 2.71 billion), Peru (USD 2.52 billion) and Indonesia (USD 2.02 billion). The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, the Central African Copperbelt, are large copper producers exporting cathode as well as anode; for that metal the OECD five-step due diligence, the producer's responsible-sourcing reporting and a chain of custody from mine to export port belong in the file.

Copper cathode is also one of the names most used in commodity fraud. The pattern is familiar: large monthly tonnages offered below the market, bills of lading and assay reports for cathode that does not exist, forged purity certificates and false SGS reports, and a request for money up front. Reported cases include a buyer losing over USD 2 million to forged certificates and false SGS reports, and warehouse cathode found not to be there. The desk works every offer the same way: the brand is checked against the LME brand list, the certificate of analysis and brand certificate are confirmed with the producer, any warehouse receipt is confirmed with the warehouse, and weighing, sampling and a physical check at stuffing by SGS, Alex Stewart International or another independent inspector is appointed by the buyer, with the report confirmed directly with the inspection company. No advance payment is made against copies of documents. Buyers are rod mills, cable and wire makers, brass and alloy mills, and foundries in the Gulf, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Africa and Turkiye. CBIL is a commodity brokerage company; cathode moves in strapped bundles in 20-foot container lots on FOB, CFR and CIF terms. Send the grade, brand preference or off-brand tolerance, monthly tonnage, discharge port and payment structure, and the desk works producer and trader parcels against them.

Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.