Today's Gold price: $4054.45/oz Price are subject to market change
Today's Copper price: $10642.85/ton Price are subject to market change

Global Rise in Gold, Copper, and Scrap Prices: What It Means for the Scrap Industry

Introduction

The global metal market has seen a sharp increase in the prices of gold, copper, and various scrap materials in recent months. Economic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and rising industrial demand are pushing these prices upward. For scrap traders and recyclers, this presents both opportunities and challenges.

At Royal General Trading, we’ve observed how these price changes are influencing the UAE and global scrap markets — especially for non-ferrous metals, e-waste, and industrial scrap materials.

Global Rise in Scrap

2. Why Are Gold and Copper Prices Rising?

a. Global Economic Uncertainty
Gold has always been a safe-haven asset. With inflation fears and unstable global markets, investors are buying gold to protect their wealth, leading to a steady price rise.
b. Increasing Industrial Demand for Copper
Copper plays a vital role in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, and electronics manufacturing. As global demand for these technologies grows, copper prices have hit record highs — directly impacting the scrap industry, where recycled copper has become a valuable commodity.
c. Limited Supply and Rising Production Costs
Mining disruptions, labor shortages, and stricter environmental policies have limited the supply of raw metals. This shortage is pushing manufacturers to rely more on scrap metal recycling to meet production needs.

3. Impact on the Scrap Industry

a. Higher Scrap Value
The rise in base metal prices has significantly increased the market value of scrap materials. Recyclers and scrap buyers can now offer better rates for copper, brass, aluminum, and electronic scrap.
b. Increased Competition
As scrap becomes more valuable, more collectors and recycling companies are entering the market. Businesses need to focus on efficient operations, transparent pricing, and eco-friendly recycling to stay competitive.
c. Boost in E-Waste Recycling
With the surge in gold and copper prices, e-waste recycling has gained new importance. Electronics like mobile phones, laptops, and circuit boards contain recoverable precious metals. Companies like Royal General Trading specialize in eco-friendly e-waste recycling to extract these valuable materials responsibly.
d. Opportunity for Local Scrap Traders
In regions like Dubai and across the UAE, the price surge has benefited local scrap traders who deal in non-ferrous scrap, e-waste, and industrial metals. Selling scrap at current high rates ensures better profits for both small collectors and large recycling companies.

4. How Traders Can Benefit

1. Monitor Daily Market Prices – Stay updated with live Copper and Gold Prices to sell at the right time. 2. Focus on Quality Scrap Collection – High-quality, well-sorted scrap fetches the best rates in the current market. 3. Partner with Reliable Buyers – Work with trusted scrap buyers like Royal General Trading to ensure fair grading and timely payments. 4. Promote Eco-Friendly Practices – Sustainability is key — companies that recycle responsibly gain long-term credibility and compliance with UAE regulations.

5. Conclusion

The recent rise in gold, copper, and scrap prices marks a transformative moment for the recycling and scrap trading industry. While it brings more competition, it also opens doors for higher profitability and sustainable growth.
At Royal General Trading, we continue to provide fair pricing, environmentally responsible recycling, and efficient scrap collection services across the UAE. Whether you deal in copper, aluminum, or electronic waste — this is the right time to turn your scrap into value.