Southern Copper Corp. (SCCO), one of the world's biggest producers of the metal, said Friday that it expects to produce 640,000 tons of copper in 2012.

 
 STORIES OF INTEREST: 
 
Singapore Nickel Premiums Set To Fall On Rising Stocks, Poor Demand

SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Singapore nickel premiums are set to fall in the next few weeks as rising London Metal Exchange stocks and soft demand from Asian stainless steel makers weigh on the alloying metal, industry participants said.

 
China January Imports Fall On High Inventories, Soft Demand, Holiday

BEIJING (Dow Jones)--China's commodity imports in January fell from December due to high inventories, lackluster downstream demand and the Lunar New Year holiday.

 
China January Copper, Copper Product Imports 413,964 Tons, Up 13.6% On Year

BEIJING (Dow Jones)--China's imports of copper, copper alloy and semi-finished products in January rose 13.6% on year to 413,964 metric tons, the General Administration of Customs said Friday.

 
Indonesia Set To Ban Metal Ore Exports Starting 2014

JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Indonesia is set to ban the export of metal ores starting 2014 after Energy and Mineral Resources Minister signed a ministerial decree earlier this week, an official at the ministry said Friday.

 
Peru's Shougang Iron Mine Unionized Workers On Strike

LIMA (Dow Jones)--Workers at Chinese-owned iron mining company Shougang Hierro Peru SAA (SHPC1.VL) have gone on strike to back demands that the company comply with the terms of their contract.

 
Boliden's Net Profit Declines On Higher Operating Costs

STOCKHOLM (Dow Jones)--Swedish miner and smelter Boliden AB (BOL.SK) on Friday reported a decline in fourth-quarter net profit, as operating costs rose. It also said industrial activity levels in mature economies fell during the period compared with the previous quarter, though they had recovered to some extent compared with the year-earlier period.

 
 MARKETS: 
 
BASE METALS: Copper Erases Week's Gain On Greece, China Worry

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Copper futures fell on Friday, erasing the gains made earlier in the week as fresh worries about debt-laden Greece and the health of China's economy sent traders cashing out of the industrial metal.

-By Matt Day, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-4986; matt.day@dowjones.com