Commsec report Tuesday April 9 2013 Base metal prices were higher on the London Metals Exchange on Monday. The weaker US dollar supported the demand for commodities, while copper also benefited from news of a potential nationwide strike by Chilean miners. Lead (up 0.7pct), Copper and Nickel (both up 0.6pct) recorded the strongest gains. But the gold price fell, with the most active Comex June futures price down by US$3.40 an ounce or 0.2pct to US$1,572.50 per ounce. The iron ore price rose by US$1.70 or 1.2pct to US$137.60 a tonne