The Chinese can influance the copper market as well. We have seen this nose dive because they are not buying and their economy is showing signs of tanking. They and India are the largest buyers of copper and when they hold off on the market everyone suffers. I however, came across a new buyer recently who does not deal with the Chinese. They are a smelter and use my copper chops to prime their furnace. They are buying 80-100k pounds a month from me now. Its nice to have a more stable buyer.