Zambia's copper production declined to 54,518 tonnes in January this year from 62,621 tonnes in the same month last year, the central bank said on Tuesday.

Copper exports in January 2010 increased to 56,676 tonnes versus 55,199 produced in 2009, the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) said.

Cobalt production in January 2010 shot up to 734 tonnes from 367 tonnes in January last year and exports increased to 731 tonnes from 356 tonnes in 2009, the central bank said.

Cobalt production in 2009 rose to 5,879 tonnes from 4,617 tonnes in 2008, and exports rose to 5,868 tonnes in 2009 from 4,610 tonnes, the Bank of Zambia said.

Copper output in Zambia rose 14% to 697,860 tonnes last year.

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