FACTBOX-Japan copper fees reflect tight supplies

(For story click on: [ID:T119313])

TOKYO, July 31 (Reuters) - Some top Japanese smelters and BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc (BHP.AX)(BLT.L) have agreed on copper fees of around $45 per tonne and 4.5 cents per pound or lower for mid-year 12-month contracts starting in July.

The processing fees for 2008 contracts were mostly set at $45/4.5 cents.

Industry sources have said that Japanese smelters would face tough talks with foreign smelters as copper concentrate, the raw material to produce the metal, were tight, which increases the competition among smelters.

The following provides the changes in copper concentrate fees.

(Figures are in US$ a tonne and cents a pound; mid-year refers to the 12-month contract starting in July) Japan copper TC/RCs Mid year 2008/09 about or less than $45/4.5 cents Full year 2008 $45/4.5 cents Mid year 2007/08 $50/5.0 cents Full year 2007 $60/6.0 cents Mid year 2006/07 $60/6.0 cents Full year 2006 $95/9.5 cents Mid year 2005/06 $115/11.5 cents* Full year 2005 $85.5/8.5 cents Full year 2004 $42.5-$45/4.25-4.50 cents** * Record high ** Two-decade low Sources: Smelters and traders (Reporting by Miho Yoshikawa; editing by Michael Roddy)