Fig. 1. Change of refined copper production,1950-2015 (a) and sources of reclaimed copper smelting raw materials, 2000-2015 (b) in China

Fig. 2. Consumption gap of refined copper and net import structure of copper in China, 2000-2015

Fig. 3. System boundary of this study and the life cycle of copper production in the socioeconomic system

Fig. 4. China’s import and export volume of copper waste and scrap, 2000-2015

Fig. 5. Sketch map of countries/regions of China’s copper waste and scrap trade, 2015

Fig. 6. Material flow balance of cumulative refined copper production in China, 2000-2015 (unit: 10⁴ t)

Fig. 7. China’s saved mining investment cost and unit price of imported copper waste and scrap, refined copper, and copper concentrate, 2000-2015

Fig. 8. Dismantling site of a low grade copper waste and scrap dismantling enterprise in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province