Scrap Copper Prices in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Scrap copper in Kalgoorlie-Boulder currently pays from $4.24 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $13.22 for bare bright copper. Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a regional centre in Western Australia, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.
Copper grades and payouts in Kalgoorlie-Boulder (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($20.17/kg) and Kalgoorlie-Boulder's 0.84× regional adjustment. Actual offers vary by yard, load size, and material quality.
| Grade | Payout rate | Est. mid (AUD/kg) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper Stripped, uncoated copper wire of 16 gauge or thicker, with no oxidation or tarnish. Pays the highest price of any common scrap. | 78% | $13.22 | $11.24 – $15.20 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $11.86 | $10.08 – $13.64 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $9.83 | $8.35 – $11.30 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $4.24 | $3.60 – $4.87 |
Price history
Local Kalgoorlie-Boulder prices track the national copper series — multiply by 0.84 for Kalgoorlie-Boulder equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Where these numbers come from
| Figure | Value | Source | Type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper spot price | A$20.17/kg | MetalpriceAPI (LME-linked market data) | Market data feed | |
| Kalgoorlie-Boulder regional factor | 0.84× | Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) | Our estimate | |
| Copper grade payout rates | 78% / 70% / 58% / 25% | Our estimate from published yard rate cards | Our estimate |
Spot prices are converted to Australian dollars per kilogram. Yard payouts are our estimates (spot × grade payout rate × regional factor), not quotes from any yard. Full detail: methodology.
Copper in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Kalgoorlie is a major gold mining centre — Super Pit operations and mining contractors drive heavy industrial scrap volume despite the small population.
As a regional centre, Kalgoorlie-Boulder's copper flow comes primarily from residential renovations, local trade work, and rural property clearances. Yards in Kalgoorlie-Boulder consolidate volume for shipment to processing facilities in larger centres.
Scrap yards in Kalgoorlie-Boulder that buy copper
2 scrap yards listed in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area. Browse all yards in Kalgoorlie-Boulder →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Kalgoorlie-Boulder? +
Today's estimated payouts in Kalgoorlie-Boulder range from $4.24 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $13.22 (bare bright copper). Prices update daily and reflect Kalgoorlie-Boulder's 0.84× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap copper in Kalgoorlie-Boulder? +
Check the Kalgoorlie-Boulder yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Kalgoorlie-Boulder yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements. For larger loads, also consider yards in Perth.
Why does Kalgoorlie-Boulder pay 16% less than Sydney for copper? +
Transport cost. Copper sold in Kalgoorlie-Boulder eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via Perth — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. The 0.84× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is copper graded at Kalgoorlie-Boulder yards? +
Kalgoorlie-Boulder yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Bare Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Copper Wire. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/copper/">Copper grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.
Do Kalgoorlie-Boulder scrap yards require photo ID? +
For copper, copper alloy, gold or silver, the licensed dealer must verify the seller's identity to at least 100 points using the checks in regulation 13 (photo documents score higher). For steel, aluminium and other scrap outside the Act no statutory ID requirement was found, although yards may set their own. (No scrap-specific Act. The Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act 1994 and Regulations 1996 apply; last checked 2026-09-02.)
Can I be paid cash for scrap metal in Kalgoorlie-Boulder? +
No cash ban. The licensing change that took effect on 1 December 2020 did not stop cash payment (as reported by the building industry's PACT Site Security), although licensed dealers must record and report copper and copper alloy transactions. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)
Is it worth driving from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to a bigger city for higher copper rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Perth quickly eat the rate difference, especially for a single residential load. The exception is high-value loads of clean copper or brass — for loads above a few hundred kilograms of clean material, the maths can work out. For everything else, consolidate locally and accept the 0.84× rate.