U.S. BRASS MILL COPPER STOCKS LOWER IN JANUARY U.S. brass mill copper stocks fell to 185,400 short tons (copper content) at the end of January from 191,200 short tons at the end of December, according to the American Bureau of Metal Statistics. Consumption by brass mills increased to 60,700 short tons in January from 48,900 short tons in December. Mills consumed 29,600 tons of refinery shapes in January versus 24,000 tons in December. Scrap consumption increased to 31,100 tons in January from 24,900 tons in December. Total brass mill shipments increased to 69,600 tons in January from 54,400 tons in December, while receipts rose to 63,800 tons from 47,100 tons.