The cathode is the basic product of copper production. It is produced in a marketable form for use in high-quality applications. Copper cathode is the primary raw material input for the production of copper rod for the wire and cable industry. Copper is also used in the production of brass, copper tube, copper sheet products, and found in over 450 alloys.

A cathode – a 50 to 80 kg copper square – is produced when pure copper separates from unwrought copper in an electrolytic refining process.  Some products are produced with a copper content of at least 99.99 % per year.

The difference between copper and electrolytic copper:

• Purity: Copper obtained through traditional mining and smelting processes may contain impurity, whereas copper cathode have a higher level of purity, typically greater than 99.95%