Base metals production shoots up

China's nonferrous metals production grew faster in the first two months of this year, according to data the National Development and Reform Commission released Tuesday.

From January to February, production of 10 major nonferrous metals amounted to 5.48 million tons, up 8.4 percent compared with the same period last year.

Electrolytic aluminum production increased 14 percent to 3.01 million tons over the period, up 15.6 percentage points year-on-year; copper production rose 6.9 percent, down 1 percentage point; zinc production declined 1.9 percent, down from the 12.7 percent production decrease over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, prices of major nonferrous metals also recorded gains. In February, average front-month contract prices of copper, electrolytic aluminum and zinc on the Shanghai Futures Exchange all rose.