Industrial metals move through mines, smelters, refineries, fabricators and manufacturers. The price at each stage refers to a different product. A refined copper benchmark cannot be applied directly to a tonne of copper-bearing ore. The metal supply concentration table shows which countries lead mine output for each metal.
Read the material specification
Copper cathode, aluminium ingot, nickel intermediates and scrap each have distinct specifications. A concentration percentage, impurity limit or delivery location can materially affect a transaction. Exchange-grade material is one defined market segment rather than a universal price for everything containing the element.
Work in metric tonnes
Our base-metal reference pages default to the source's metric-tonne unit. Divide a tonne price by 1,000 to obtain a kilogram equivalent, or by 1,000,000 for a gram equivalent. To turn the size of a sheet, bar or tube into weight and cost, use the material weight and cost calculator. These conversions describe equal mass of the benchmark material; they do not estimate recovery from an ore or mixed scrap item.
Six metals, different uses
Copper is important in electrical systems. Aluminium combines low density with useful structural properties. Nickel is used in stainless steel and some battery chemistries. Zinc protects steel through galvanising, lead is used in lead-acid batteries, and tin is important in solder. Demand in one application can diverge from another.
Useful industrial-metal comparisons
Compare aluminium with nickel to contrast lightweight metal and alloy markets, zinc with lead to separate galvanising from battery demand, or lead with tin when reading alloy and solder discussions. Each chart indexes matching dates; it does not treat the products as interchangeable.
Benchmark versus delivered cost
Regional physical premiums, fabrication, freight, financing and tax can sit on top of a metal reference. Scrap valuation also depends on sorting, contamination and recovery. Obtain a grade-specific quote if you need a transaction price.
Explore the metals table, or compare relative movements in the indexed comparison chart. Indexed charts show percentage performance from a common starting point, not equal dollar prices.
Test yourself. Check what you learned with the industrial metals essentials quiz: 5 quick questions, each with a short explanation.
Sources & further reading
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