Sustainable Development and the Global Copper Supply Chain: International research team report

This report analyzes market trends and policy drivers within the international copper supply chain, specifically focusing on China's imports of copper scrap (Flow C) and primary copper mining products (Flow D). It examines the environmental and social impacts of these flows, the regulatory landscapes in key exporting and importing regions, and provides policy recommendations to improve sustainable development outcomes.

• China is the world's largest consumer of copper mining products and the largest importer of both copper scrap and refined copper. In 2008, China imported approximately 5.6 million tonnes of recycled copper, representing 68 per cent of global recycled copper imports.
• The global copper supply chain is divided into two primary flows for China: Flow C, a closed-loop process involving the import of copper scrap for secondary production, and Flow D, which covers international primary copper production from ore extraction to end-of-life management.
• Despite national bans on e-waste imports, significant amounts of electronic waste enter China illegally to be processed by informal recycling systems. Estimates of these illegal imports vary widely, from 1.5 million tonnes per annum to as high as 35 million tonnes annually.
• Informal e-waste recycling in China provides substantial employment for low-income groups, with up to 440,000 jobs created in centers like Luquiao and Guiyu. However, it causes severe health issues due to exposure to hazardous materials, including elevated levels of lead and cadmium in workers and children.
• In primary copper production (Flow D), there is a notable discrepancy in the capacity of the Zambian government to enforce regulations compared to Australia and Chile. This weak enforcement may prevent local communities and the national government from receiving appropriate returns from non-renewable resources for social services like health and education.
• Chinese investment in Zambia has provided significant economic benefits, including over US$1 billion in investment (as of December 2009) and approximately 15,000 jobs. Conversely, it has faced criticism for lower wages and poorer safety conditions compared to other foreign-owned mines, partly due to the use of 'casual' labour.
• Most recycling policies in Europe, the United States, and Japan are designed to minimize human and environmental harm rather than maximize the recovery of materials. While the EU's WEEE and ELV Directives may indirectly improve material flows, the Basel Convention has indirectly reduced the flow of recoverable materials to China.
• The report recommends that China shift from banning e-waste to forcefully monitoring its trade and strictly enforcing safe handling standards, as e-waste is a critical source of secondary copper (one tonne of e-waste can contain up to 0.2 tonnes of copper).
• To improve mineral resource security, the report suggests China support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, such as China RoHS (2007), ELV standards (2010), and China WEEE (2011), to better predict 'in-stock' copper availability and develop efficient recovery infrastructure.
• The report advises extending corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidance to Chinese State-owned and private enterprises operating overseas, particularly in Africa, to align their performance with international standards and protect labour rights.

APA

Streicher-Porte, M., & Althaus, H. J. (2011). Sustainable Development and the Global Copper Supply Chain: International research team report. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sus_dev_chinese_copper.pdf

Chicago

Streicher-Porte, Martin, and Hans Jörg Althaus. Sustainable Development and the Global Copper Supply Chain: International research team report. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sus_dev_chinese_copper.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Streicher-Porte |first1=Martin |last2=Althaus |first2=Hans Jörg |title=Sustainable Development and the Global Copper Supply Chain: International research team report |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sus_dev_chinese_copper.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{streicherporte2011sustainable, author = {Streicher-Porte, Martin and Althaus, Hans Jörg}, title = {{Sustainable Development and the Global Copper Supply Chain: International research team report}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/sus_dev_chinese_copper.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }