Copper down on dollar, China imports

Copper prices fell Tuesday on new data about imports into China and as the US dollar strengthened and equities markets in the US and Europe declined.

New figures showed that China imported almost 15 percent less copper in July than it did in June.

September copper was 3 cents lower to $2.74 per pound in New York trade, while three-month copper dropped $105 to $6,030 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange.

Among other base metals, zinc was down $35 to $1,815 per tonne while aluminium fell $42 to $1,930 per tonne, lead was $74 lower to $1,800 per tonne and nickel dropped $750 to $19,450 per tonne.

Tin went untraded in London.

Precious metals prices were mixed as December gold ended the floor trade session in New York 60 cents higher to $947.50 per troy ounce but September silver fell 1 cent to $14.35 per troy ounce and October platinum dropped $5.80 to $1,245.10 per troy ounce.