BIR Copper symposium "Copper - the new gold?"

24 May 2011, 9.30 am, Shangri-La Singapore

Panel of industry experts defined

Brussels, 14 April 2011 - The special Symposium on “Copper – the new gold?” that will be organised by the BIR Non-Ferrous Metals Division in the framework of the upcoming World Recycling Convention in Singapore brings together a high-ranking panel of industry experts who will look at the importance of copper scrap in the wider context of soaring copper prices and increased raw materials demand.

The symposium will be structured into two thematic panels, one focusing on the changes in the copper and copper scrap markets, while the second panel will assess new technologies and new markets, financial aspects as well as the importance of copper use in the future.

So far, the following industry experts have confirmed their participation:

Christian Schirmeister is Executive Director of the Global Commodities Group at JP Morgan, one of the world’s leading financial services firms. He is also Chair of the Copper Committee of the London Metal Exchange. In his presentation he will highlight the financial aspects and dynamics of the copper industry and how they have been impacted by the metal’s huge price volatility.

Glen Gross, CEO of the US American major scrap company Wimco Metals, will offer in insight into the American copper scrap market, which over the past decade has changed considerably. Mr Gross’ presentation will highlight which demand factors have driven those changes and where demand for copper scrap and its alloys is headed.

Adam Minter is an independent, internationally published trade journalist based in Shanghai and the author of many industry-related articles and studies who has extensive experience with the Asian commodity markets. Mr Minter will explain the reasons for the rapid expansion of the Chinese copper scrap market in the past decade while reflecting on current and future market trends.

Carlos Risopatron, Head of Environment and Economics of the International Copper Study Group has agreed to talk about ICSG’s studies on the worldwide flow of copper scrap, complementing Mr Minter’s assessment of the Asian market with extracts from their exclusive studies on India and China.

Miguel Garcia, General Manager of La Farga Lacambra (Spain), a major producer of semi-finished copper products from recycled materials, will present a speech with the title “The carbon footprint of the copper recycling processes”, revealing the result of studies undertaken by La Farga Lacambra with the aim of obtaining copper products originating from 100% recycled material.

Alejandro Jaramillo, Sales Manager at Recicladora Cachanilla (Mexico) and Board Members of the Non-Ferrous Metals Division, will be reporting on the Latin American copper scrap markets (with a focus on Mexico and Brazil) and on the new threats in copper scrap trading.

The panels with be moderated by divisional President Robert Stein (Alter Trading, USA) and Dr Peter Dahmen, (Metallhandelsgesellschaft Schoof & Haslacher, Germany), Senior Vice-President of the Non-Ferrous Metals Division.