Scrap Copper Prices in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Scrap copper in Kalgoorlie-Boulder currently pays from $3.78 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $11.79 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 ($17.99/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% | $11.79 | $10.02 – $13.56 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $10.58 | $8.99 – $12.17 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $8.77 | $7.45 – $10.08 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $3.78 | $3.21 – $4.35 |
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.
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 verified scrap yards 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 $3.78 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $11.79 (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? +
We're building a verified directory of Kalgoorlie-Boulder scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area 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 I need ID to sell copper at a Kalgoorlie-Boulder yard? +
Yes for any non-trivial copper or brass load. Western Australia legislation requires yards to record seller ID on regulated transactions to deter metal theft. Bring a driver's licence or other photo ID. Cash payments above certain thresholds may require additional documentation.
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.