Major Japanese trader and metals producer Sumitomo Corporation will integrate its refined copper business into MineHub Technologies’ digital platform, adding to concentrate activities, under an expanded agreement.
Toronto-listed MineHub said this week Sumitomo would also “play a pivotal role in supporting sales efforts and driving commercial traction for the refined platform”.
“This expanded scope reflects the confidence and validation Sumitomo has in the capabilities and potential of the MineHub platform to deliver value across multiple segments of the metals market,” it said.
Takeshi Ishimaru, general manager of non-ferrous metals and raw material at Sumitomo, said: “We believe that integrating our refined copper business onto the MineHub platform will not only streamline our operations but also enhance our ability to serve our customers effectively.”
Key customers in Asia would be first to start using the MineHub platform to transact refined copper business, Sumitomo said.
The Japanese company invested directly in MineHub, to the tune of C$1 million, in June last year after the two companies declared they had entered into a partnership arrangement in 2022. Later that year Sumitomo subscribed to MineHub’s digital trading platform and enterprise applications.