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ABOUT THE LME
Corporate structure
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Page header: About the LME

About the LME
Established for over 130 years and located in the heart of The City of London, the London Metal Exchange is the world’s premier non-ferrous metals market. 

It offers a range of futures and options contracts for non-ferrous, minor metals and steel.

The Exchange provides a transparent forum for all trading activity and as a result helps to 'discover' what the price of material will be months and years ahead. This helps the physical industry to plan forward in a world subject to often severe and rapid price movements. Such is the liquidity at the Exchange that the prices ‘discovered’ at the LME are recognised and relied upon by industry throughout the world.

The LME is a highly liquid market and in 2010 achieved volumes of 120.3 million lots, equivalent to $11.6 trillion annually and $46 billion on an average business day. Based in London the LME is a global market with an international membership and with more than 95% of its business coming from overseas.

Being a principal-to-principal market, the only organisations able to trade are its member firms, of which there are various categories. LME members provide the physical industry with access to the market, to the risk management tools and to the delivery mechanism. Trading takes place across three trading platforms: through open-outcry trading in the 'Ring', through an inter-office telephone market and through LMEselect, the Exchange's electronic trading platform.

Corporate structure
Information on the corporate structure of the LME, financial statements and the Holdings and Limited board members.
Introducing the LME
Watch our award-winning short films and learn how companies throughout the value chain manage price risk with the LME.
History of the LME
The origins of the London Metal Exchange can be traced as far back as the opening of the Royal Exchange in 1571.
Visit the LME
The LME has a viewing gallery which is open to members of the public.
Membership
LME members provide industry with access to the market and to the delivery mechanism.
Trading on the LME
Find out about LME contracts, how trading takes place on the LME and learn about how our contracts are cleared.
LME Scholarships
LME scholarships give talented people with limited financial means the opportunity to study at top mining schools.
corporate brochure 1.57MB LME corporate brochure
Corporate brochure of the world's premier base metals exchange
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