an interesting read, page-2

re: another interesting read Copper Leads Metal Price Gains in London on Supply Concerns
June 22 (Bloomberg) -- Copper futures rose more than 5 percent, leading metals higher in London, on speculation that falling inventories and mine disruptions will strain supply as demand grows. Zinc climbed 4.1 percent.

Rising global interest rates, amid concern inflation is accelerating, helped fuel an 8.7 percent decline in copper in the past 11 days. Supply disruptions may buoy prices in coming days, analysts such as Andrew Cole at Metal Bulletin Research said. Inventories dropped to their lowest since Feb. 3 today.

``There's a whole series of supply threats looming over the summer,'' said London-based Cole. ``People are beginning to focus on them and put the inflation worries behind them.''

Copper for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange rose as much as $400, or 5.9 percent, to $7,200 a metric ton and traded at $7,105 as of 10:28 a.m. in London. Zinc gained $111 to $3,040 a ton, aluminum added $25 to $2,525, nickel rose $50 to $20,000 and tin advanced $50 to $7,950.

Copper inventories tracked by the LME fell for the fourth day, dropping by 1,250 tons, or 1.3 percent, to 97,325 tons.