Select base metal prices improved in the range of Rs 1-5 a kg in the non-ferrous metal market here on Wednesday on high global advices and speculative buying by stockists and traders. However, Nickel prices slipped by Rs 5 a kg due to selling pressure. Marketmen said fresh buying activity influenced by strong London Metal Exchange advices pushed up the prices. Copper wire scrap, copper super d rod, copper wire bar, copper mixed scrap and c c rod moved up by Rs 3 each to settle at Rs 335, R s 355, Rs 350, Rs 310, and Rs 350 a kg respectively on fresh buying interest. Tin ingot gained Rs 3 to settle at Rs 790 a kg on fresh buying interest. Zinc slab and dross marked ahead from Rs 148 and Rs 118 to Rs 149 and Rs 119 a kg respectively. Lead ingot and lead imported too traded higher at Rs 99 and Rs 134-139 a kg respectively.

On the other hand, nickel plate (4x4), (9x9) and (4x24) dropped further by Rs 5 each at Rs 1,315-1,415, Rs 1,315-1,425 and Rs 1,325-1,435 a kg respectively. At London Metal Exchange, Copper up by $160 at $7,020, followed by tin by $175 at $16,200, while nickel lost further by $200 at $27,500 a ton.

Following were today's quotations per kg (in Rs): Tin ingot 790, zinc slab 149.00 zinc dross 119.00, nickel plate (4x4) 1315-1415, (9x9) 1315-1425, (4x24) 1325-1435, cadmium plate 440, Rod 425, antimony (china) 285, gun metal scrap 252, bell metal scrap 250, copper wire scrap 335, copper super d rod 355, copper wire bar 350, copper mixed scrap 310, C C rod 350, Utensil scrap 302, Mixed scrap 298, Chadripital 242, brass sheet cutting 237, bullet scrap 257, bharat scrap 242, accessories scrap 247, brass boring 232-242, brass radiator scrap 210 and huny scrap 247. Lead ingot 99, Lead imported 134-139, Aluminium ingots 120, sheet cutting 115, aluminium wire scrap 110 and Aluminium utensils scrap 105. – Business Line