Copper gains on China imports figures

Most base metals prices saw gains on Tuesday.

December copper was 13 cents higher in New York to $3.39 per pound on increased copper imports by China.

While August imports were 7.2 percent below July’s level, an expected decline that turned out to be less than some analysts had expected, imports into China for the year to the end of August were up by 43 percent.

The price for three-month copper in London, meanwhile, added 4.4 percent to $7,480 per tonne.

In other base metals, tin gained 3.6 percent to $15,250 per tonne on the London Metal exchange, while nickel added 1.8 percent but aluminium declined on higher inventories.