Copper, Zinc & Lead Refining in Canada - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

Highly refined: Increased global refining activity will make downstream markets more competitive

Copper, zinc and lead refineries in Canada smelt ores extracted by upstream miners and refine nonferrous metals, which downstream metal manufacturers process further. Canadian metal producers have benefited from growing economic uncertainty and rising metal prices as consumers seek safer investments, such as gold and silver. Similarly, growing manufacturing and construction activity following the initial stages of the pandemic caused the price of other metals, including copper and nickel, to skyrocket, enabling refineries to pass down cost increases to buyers. However, refineries have been negatively impacted by normalizing economic conditions and falling metal prices, which place downward pressure on revenue. The growing vertical integration trends have enabled Canadian metal producers to become more competitive by lowering purchase costs, enabling refineries to become more profitable. These trends have enabled metal refineries to expand at an estimated CAGR of 1.3% to $19.4 billion over the next five years, including an estimated 3.2% drop in 2023 alone.

Companies in the Canadian Copper, Zinc and Lead Refining industry smelt or refine nonferrous metals other than aluminum. The refining process includes the use of electrolytic methods and more traditional furnace-based procedures. Additionally, companies that refine gold typically do so on a fee-for-service basis.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.