London Metal Exchange copper moved higher Wednesday, capitalizing on Tuesday's strong close and protests at Freeport McMoRan's copper-gold Grasberg mine in Indonesia, traders and analysts said.

Early technical buying lifted prices during pre-market trade, with local speculators adding to upside momentum on reports of further protests at the giant open-pit Grasberg mine.

About 200 protesters fought with police as they tried to march on the mine. Operations weren't affected but the protest comes weeks after Grasberg had to close for three days after illegal workers staged demonstrations.

"Normally such a protest wouldn't get noticed by the market but with copper still tight it does boost sentiment," an analyst said.

LME three-month copper rose to a near two-week high of $4,980 a metric ton but profit taking pared gains before the kerb.

LME aluminium had a good volume pre-market session, attracting fresh investment money and technical buying after Tuesday's strong close, a trader said.

Copper running out of steam in the afternoon prompted profit taking among long position holders on aluminium, with prices falling back into negative territory.

LME zinc had a buoyant session, clearing the $2,300/ton level to rise to an intra-day high of $2,350/ton.

Falling inventories and bullish fundamentals continue to attract investors to zinc, analysts said.

In other news, China's industrial output for January-February was up 16.2% year-on-year, compared with 16.6% in December.

3 months metal (prices in dollars a ton)
Bid – Ask, Change from Tuesday PM kerb

Copper 4950.00-4951.00, Up 45.00
Lead 1178.00-1180.00, Up 1.00
Zinc 2328.00-2330.00, Up 37.00
Aluminium 2446.50-2447.50, Dn 12.50
Nickel 14870.00-14875.00, Up 20.00
Tin 7865.00-7900.00, Up 35.00