Comex copper futures closed at a new 6-1/2-year high on Wednesday, with strikes at mines in Chile and Canada threatening supplies and rising US factory orders adding to demand for the metal.
Benchmark March copper contracts closed 0.60 cent higher at $1.1745 a lb, after reaching a June 1997 high at $1.1755. The low was $1.1650 a lb.
Spot February copper ended 0.60 cent higher at $1.1735. Only contracts out to March 2005 actually traded all of which hit new lifetime highs.
Comex estimated final copper trading volume at 11,000 lots, up from 8,170 on Tuesday.