Copper Cathodes Supplier
LME Grade A Cathodes, Spot and Term Supply, Export Documentation
Copper Cathode Procurement
FG Capital Advisors arranges the supply of high-purity copper cathodes originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia. Supply is structured for physical delivery under CIP terms, with carriage and cargo insurance arranged to the agreed named destination.
The material is non-LME registered A Grade copper cathode with 99.99% purity. Supply is allocated against contracted production rather than represented as unrestricted warehouse stock available for immediate lift. This distinction is important when purchasing meaningful monthly or annual tonnage from Central African producers.
Copper cathode production is capital intensive. Producers must fund concentrate or ore purchases, reagents, power, electrowinning operations, labor, inland haulage, export handling and working capital well before an international buyer receives the cathodes. For this reason, substantial physical orders are normally supported through pre-financing and bankable payment security.
Under this program, the buyer provides an initial deposit to secure the production allocation, followed by an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) or Documentary Letter of Credit (DLC) covering the contract value. The instrument supports production and shipment while giving the supplier the financial visibility required to commit tonnage to the buyer.
Buyers seeking unusually large quantities on an immediate spot basis should understand that physical copper markets rarely operate around tens of thousands of metric tons of uncommitted cathode waiting for a buyer. Available tonnage is typically tied to existing offtake agreements, annual supply contracts, trader allocations, refinery production schedules and previously committed export programs.
To begin, submit the order form.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | Copper Cathode (Non-LME Registered) |
| Grade | A Grade, 99.99% Purity |
| Origin | Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or Zambia |
| Minimum Order Quantity | 250 Metric Tons |
| Maximum Annual Quantity | 3,500 Metric Tons |
| Delivery Time | Within 90 Days Post Financial Confirmation |
| Delivery Basis | CIP to Agreed Named Destination |
| Dimensions | 914mm x 914mm x 12mm |
| Payment Security | Irrevocable SBLC or Documentary Letter of Credit |
Lead Times and Production Pre-Financing
The stated lead time begins once the commercial terms have been agreed, the required deposit has been received and the agreed financial instrument has been established and authenticated.
A copper cathode shipment is not simply released from a warehouse the day an order is signed. The supplier must allocate production, schedule cathode output, consolidate the required lot, prepare export documentation, arrange inspection where applicable, move the cargo from the Copperbelt to the relevant logistics corridor and coordinate onward ocean or multimodal transport.
For DRC and Zambian origin material, inland logistics alone can involve significant movement from the Copperbelt through regional export corridors before the cargo reaches the relevant port or final CIP destination. Vessel schedules, container or breakbulk availability, border processing, customs documentation and regional congestion can all influence the final shipment window.
Pre-financing therefore forms part of the physical supply structure. It allows production and procurement expenditure to be incurred before the final cargo is delivered. The deposit provides initial working capital and secures the buyer's allocation. The SBLC or DLC then provides payment security against the broader contract value.
This structure is particularly important for forward production. A buyer contracting several hundred metric tons is effectively reserving part of a producer's future cathode output. That allocation has an opportunity cost and requires the supplier to commit working capital, plant capacity and logistics resources to the contract.
The 90-day delivery period should therefore be understood as a production and logistics lead time following financial confirmation. It covers allocation, production, consolidation, export preparation and shipment rather than merely the physical transit time between origin and destination.
Engagement Procedure
1. Submission of Order Form: Complete and submit the official order form. An administrative fee of $2,000 is required to process your application.
2. Receipt of Proforma Invoice: Within two business days, you will receive a proforma invoice setting out the contracted quantity, pricing basis, delivery destination, deposit requirement, payment instrument and applicable shipment terms.
3. Invoice Approval and Deposit: Review and approve the proforma invoice. A deposit ranging from $150,000 to $500,000, depending on the tiered pricing structure, must be remitted to confirm the order and secure the corresponding production allocation.
4. Establishment of Financial Instruments: Within 30 calendar days, establish an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) or Documentary Letter of Credit (DLC) covering the full contract value. The instrument provides the payment security required for production, allocation and shipment.
5. Authentication and Production Allocation: The financial instrument is authenticated through the applicable banking channel. Once confirmed, the contracted cathode tonnage is placed into the agreed production and shipment schedule.
6. Logistics and Shipment: The cathodes are consolidated for shipment and moved through the applicable export corridor. Carriage and cargo insurance are arranged under CIP terms to the agreed named destination, with delivery targeted within 90 days following financial confirmation.
FAQs
Here, we address common questions about our copper cathode procurement process to help you better understand how we operate. If you have any additional inquiries or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Ready to Get Started?
To proceed with your order, please fill out and submit our online order form. Our team will review your submission and guide you through the next steps to ensure a smooth and efficient procurement experience.
Why is there a 90-day lead time?
The 90-day lead time covers several key stages: securing pre-financing for raw materials, sourcing and refining the copper ore into cathodes, and arranging logistics and transport to the destination. This process ensures we secure the necessary raw materials, maintain high product quality, and deliver on time.
Can the buyer open a DLC if you have goods in a warehouse, and pay upon inspection?
Yes, we accept DLC (Documentary Letter of Credit) or SLOC (Standby Letter of Credit), but it must be issued pre-shipment to allow us to make the necessary arrangements and secure the supply within 90 days. Funds can be released at sight.
What is the purpose of the deposit requirement?
In the copper industry, it is common practice to pay 20% of the contract amount, and sometimes up to 100% in advance. We charge only a $150k-$500k deposit to start arranging the supply for the Buyer. This deposit allows us to begin securing the necessary raw materials and logistics. Once the entire production is secured, the Buyer will then place the SLOC or DLC for the remaining invoice amount. This approach ensures you can secure copper without an upfront full payment commitment.
How do you ensure supply reliability?
We rely on a hands-on team of traders and field operators who oversee every step of the supply chain—from procurement to logistics. Our traders secure real allocations directly from smelters and verified suppliers, while our operators manage the on-the-ground execution, including transport, warehousing, and export procedures.
The raw materials are there, the processing capacity is available, and the logistics are well-established. The main bottleneck is financing, which we handle through structured trade solutions. To further mitigate risk, all subcontractors involved in executing a contract—whether private or state-owned—are required to post a surety bond. This holds every party accountable.
In the event of non-performance, the Buyer is contractually entitled to a full refund along with a 2–3% penalty fee based on the contract value.
Do you pay commission to introducers?
Yes, we offer commissions to introducers knowledgeable about the market. However, we do not work with introducers who claim to have large buyers seeking copper cathodes at unrealistically low prices. These so-called "joker brokers" often propose deals involving copper allegedly stored in a warehouse and request 10,000MT per month. Such scenarios are impractical and a waste of time and resources. We prefer to collaborate with serious professionals who understand the complexities of the copper market.
Ready To Order With Us?
If you are an introducer with a genuine buyer, please complete the order form, pay the applicable fee, and mention that you are an introducer. We will send you an agreement to formalize our partnership. Complete the RFQ form and we will get back to you within 1 business day.
Kenny Kayembe
Kenny Kayembe, Principal at FG Capital Advisors, has a robust background in Structured Trade and Commodity Finance (STCF), allowing him to effectively capitalize on opportunities within the metals trading sector.
Since establishing FG Capital Advisors, he has established a strong network of partnerships in the DRC and Zambia to ensure the reliable sourcing and delivery of copper.
He has completed the Advanced Finance Program at Wharton Executive Education, taught by distinguished faculty from Wharton’s top-ranked MBA program. Kenny also holds a Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) from the CQF Institute, complemented by technical training in web development and data science from Le Wagon.
