China Knowledge reported that the combined output of the ten nonferrous metals rose 9.3% YoY to 36.91 million metric tons last year, slowing from a 10.6% growth in 2011.

The output of primary aluminum grew 13.2% YoY to 19.88 million metric tonne in 2012, and that of refined copper hit 6.06 million metric tonne, increasing 10.8% YoY. The output of lead rose 9.3% YoY to 4.65 million metric tonne and the output of zinc saw decline of 5.6% YoY, reaching 4.85 million metric tonne.

The nonferrous metal industry realized CNY 155.8 billion in profit, reflecting a decline of 8.9% YoY. The profit of nonferrous metal mining and dressing sector fell 5.1% YoY to CNY 41.1 billion, while that of the nonferrous metal smelting sector plunged 34% YoY to CNY 39.3 billion. The nonferrous metal rolling processing sector's profit was CNY 66.6 billion last year, up 12.9% YoY.