Commodity futures exchange, where generally accepted metal prices are fixed by the comparison of supply and demand and form the basis for the global trade in metals and commodity futures contracts.

The production of metals from raw materials such as ore concentrates, residues and recycling materials. There are two processes: pyrometallurgical (where high temperatures are used to extract metals) and hydrometallurgical (where chemical reactions in water are used to extract metals).

Casting moulds made of copper, graphite, cast iron or steel for casting metal ingots. Water-cooled moulds made of graphite with copper coating, which are open at the top and the bottom, are used for the production of continuous cast copper shapes.