Yunnan Luoping Zinc and Electricity Co. Ltd., which is listed on the small and medium-sized enterprise board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, reported today (Tuesday) that the company's net profit increased by 14.35 percent on an annual basis to RMB 100.39 million ($14.25 million) in 2007.

Luoping Zinc generated operating revenue of RMB 1.24 billion ($176.05 million) last year, up 26.24 percent year-on-year.

The company attributed the hike in operating revenue and net profit to increased production and sales, despite a zinc ingot price decline in the second half of 2007.

In 2007, Luoping Zinc produced 5,268 tons of zinc and 2,701 tons of lead, both in concentrate form, as well as 50,288 tons of zinc ingot, up 44.35 percent year-on-year, and 240.22 tons of cadmium, up 34.24 percent from the previous year. The company also produced 1.91 tons of germanium in concentrate form, 1.65 tons of indium ingot, 3,561 tons of zinc powder, and generated 266.28 million kilowatt hours of electricity, up 4.52 percent on an annual basis.

Luoping Zinc intends to boost its electrolytic zinc production capacity from a current 60,000 tons per annum to 80,000 tons per annum by the end of 2008, and to an eventual 120,000 tons per annum through an ongoing technical upgrade project.

The company's stock finished trading at RMB 37.24 ($5.29) today, up 0.22 percent from yesterday. – Interfax