Published 29 April 2026

Copper Concentrate: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage

Contents

Copper concentrate is a major dry bulk cargo, with global seaborne trade of approximately 25 to 30 million tonnes per year of dry-tonne equivalent. The cargo is principally moved from major mining regions (Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Australia, the United States, Mongolia) to smelters in China, Japan, South Korea, India, Spain, and elsewhere. The IMSBC Code regulates copper concentrate shipments under a Group A schedule reflecting the universal liquefaction risk of fine mineral concentrate cargoes.

Schedule structure

The IMSBC Code includes the following copper-related schedule entries:

Copper concentrate (Group A): chalcopyrite-, chalcocite-, and bornite-rich beneficiated copper concentrate from flotation milling. Liquefiable, subject to TML and MC certification.
Copper precipitate: a related entry for hydrometallurgical copper precipitates. Group A in some classifications.
Mineral concentrates (general): a generic entry covering similar concentrates from polymetallic deposits. Group A.

This article focuses on copper concentrate, the dominant copper marine cargo. Mineral concentrate entries cover lead-zinc, copper-lead-zinc polymetallic, and other base metal concentrates with similar handling requirements.

Cargo properties

Copper concentrate is produced principally from porphyry copper deposits by:

Open-pit or underground mining.
Crushing and grinding to liberation size (typically below 100 micrometres).
Froth flotation with selective collectors and frothers to concentrate the sulphide minerals.
Thickening and filtration to reduce moisture for transport.

The resulting concentrate is a fine, dense, dark-grey to greenish-grey powder with copper content typically 25 to 30 per cent. Bulk density is approximately 1.8 to 2.3 tonnes per cubic metre, with stowage factor of approximately 0.45 to 0.55 cubic metres per tonne. Moisture content at loading is typically 8 to 12 per cent.

Liquefaction risk

Copper concentrate is among the most liquefaction-prone bulk cargoes, sharing the characteristic features of:

Uniform fine particle size with high fines fraction below 75 micrometres.
Moderate to high moisture content from filtration.
High bulk density.

The Proctor-Fagerberg test is the recommended method for determining TML on copper concentrate cargoes. Pre-loading certification typically reports MC in the range of 8 to 11 per cent and TML in the range of 9 to 12 per cent. The IMSBC requirement is that MC be no more than 90 per cent of TML at loading.

Major routes

Copper concentrate seaborne trade flows include:

Chile to China and Asia: the dominant flow, with Codelco and BHP/Rio Tinto/Glencore export from Mejillones, Antofagasta, San Antonio, and other northern Chilean ports.
Peru to China and Asia: significant export from Callao, Matarani, and southern Peruvian ports.
Indonesia to Japan and Asia: export from Grasberg/Freeport and related Papua mines.
Australia to Japan, Korea, and China: export from Olympic Dam, Mt Isa, and other Queensland and South Australian ports.
Mongolia to China: principally land transport, but some seaborne flow via Russian Pacific ports.
United States to Japan and Mexico: export from Pacific coast ports.

China is the dominant single importer, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of global copper concentrate trade and supplying the world’s largest copper smelting industry.

Pre-loading testing and procedures

Copper concentrate consignments require:

Sampling per the IMSBC Section 4 protocol, with care to obtain representative samples from the cargo as it is to be loaded.
Laboratory determination of TML by the Proctor-Fagerberg method.
Laboratory determination of moisture content (no more than seven days before loading).
Cargo declaration including TML, MC, particle size distribution, and shipper certification.
Master’s review of certification before loading.

The “can test” can be performed shipside as a rapid screening tool but is not a substitute for laboratory certification.

Cargo handling onboard

Loading is by shore conveyor and shiploader. The cargo self-trims and no mechanical trimming is generally required. Hold preparation is standard for Group A cargoes: cleanliness, dry bilges, weather-tightness.

During the voyage, the cargo is generally not ventilated. Continuous bilge well monitoring detects any moisture migration. Cargo temperature monitoring is not generally required (copper concentrate is not self-heating).

Discharge is by grab-fitted shore cranes or, at modern dedicated smelter terminals, by continuous unloaders. Copper concentrate is significantly less abrasive than iron ore but still wears handling equipment over time.