Copper rallies after top producer Chile shuts border

LONDON: Copper prices climbed on Tuesday due to supply concerns after top producer Chile closed its borders over a spike in coronavirus infections.

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was up 2.2% to $8,979 a tonne in official trading.

Coronavirus cases in Chile surged past 1 million, while infections across Latin America, which has some of the world's biggest copper mines, are also rising.

"The news that Chile has closed its borders to combat a surge in COVID-19 cases sees copper rally over $300 yesterday in New York even as authorities declare these measures should not disrupt mining operations," said Alastair Munro at broker Marex Spectron.

Copper and other base metal prices were supported by data showing that activity accelerated and beat expectations in the services sector of the United States and China.

Copper is also used as a gauge for global economic health.

SUPPLY: Chile's Codelco, the world's biggest copper miner, increased production by 2.1% year-on-year in February to 122,800 tonnes, according to state copper commission Cochilco.

Overall, however, Chile's February output was down 5% to 430,100 tonnes.

DEMAND: The Yangshan copper premium was at its lowest since early December at $57 a tonne, pointing to weakening demand for imports into China. Stockpiles of the metal in exchange warehouses have been rising steadily.

TIN SUPPLY: Tin prices rose 3.1% to $25,897 a tonne, after touching a three-week high of $26,065 on supply concerns, amid environmental checks and smelter maintenance in China and after China restricted movement in Ruili on the border with Myanmar, citing the spread of COVID-19.

Myanmar in 2020 accounted for more than 95% of imports of tin concentrate into China, the world's biggest metals consumer.

OTHER PRICES: LME aluminium rose 1.9% to $2,268.50 a tonne, zinc advanced 2.1% to $2,833, lead added 0.2% to $1,966.50, while nickel edged up 2.2% to $16,567.