Zambia, Africa's biggest copper producer, saw its copper production slipped by 5.7 percent in the first six months of the year to 187,068 tons, compared to 198,373 tons in the same period of 2004, the Bank of Zambia, the country's central bank, has said.

Zambia produced 96,293 tons of copper in the second quarter, up 6.2 percent from 90.639 tons in the first quarter, central bank governor Caleb Fundanga said in his quarterly briefing carried on the bank's website.

"The increase in copper production (in the second quarter) was mainly attributed to the rebound in production on account of the completion of smelter repairs and the replacement of aged equipment at some mines," the governor said.

The southern African country exported 94,764 tons of copper in the second quarter, up 12 percent from the first quarter's 84614 tons.

Earnings from copper export in the second quarter was projected at 299.3 million US dollars, compared to 264.3 million dollars in the first three months.

Copper price increased by 0.7 percent in the second quarter to 143 US cents per pound from 142 cents per pound in the first quarter, the bank said.

Source: Xinhua