Zambia sees 2009 copper output at 664,000 tonnes

Zambia sees 2009 copper output at 664,000 tonnes
Written by Reuters
Friday, September 11, 2009 4:36:58 PM

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia, Africa's largest copper producer, has projected a slight rise in 2009 copper output to 664,000 tonnes, compared with previous estimates of 600,000 tonnes due to rising production at the mines, data showed.

Zambia's Treasury said on Thursday output from the copper mines would rise by further 5 percent in 2010.

"Total copper production in 2010 is ... projected to increase by about 5 percent from a projected 664,000 metric tonnes in 2009," the Treasury said in a medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) policy document.

It also said copper output would gradually rise to 750,000 tonnes per year by 2012.