Glencore PLC has opened a new blending plant in Taiwan to prepare potentially hazardous copper ores for smelting amid a surge in high-arsenic material hitting the market, according to people familiar with the matter.
Blending became big business for metals traders including Glencore and Trafigura Group Ltd. around the middle of the decade after the market was flooded with high-arsenic copper concentrates, a semi-processed form of ore. The issue is now resurfacing, boosting demand for high-quality, clean concentrates.
There's been a particular increase in high-arsenic ores from mines in Chile, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. By blending the concentrates with cleaner products from other mines, Glencore can reduce arsenic and other impurities down to levels that are safe for smelters to treat.