United States copper production increased slightly to about 1.12 million tons and its value rose to about $10 billion in 2011, said the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in a research note. The country produced 1.11 tons in 2010.

The United States continued to be slightly reliant upon Aluminium imports in 2011, as domestic primary production increased from that in 2010 but still remained at significantly lower levels than in 2008, although exports of scrap continued to increase, said the Institute U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in a research note.

Tin and rsquo;s fundamental backdrop offers solid support for its strong showing relative to most other base metals so far this year, said Barclays Capital in a research note.

Global aluminum inventories rose to 2,409,000 metric tons in December from a revised 2,403,000 in November, said the International Aluminum Institute in a research note.

Base metal prices at the London Metal Exchange rose for a second day on Tuesday as a pledge by the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low bolstered investor expectations that demand for commodities will increase.