The most-active October copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange opened sharply down and closed the session 4.2 percent lower at 68,570 yuan per tonne on Friday, not far from its session low of 68,530 yuan, the lowest since June 29. Base metals fell across the board in Shanghai, losing more than 3.5 percent each, with the most-active October aluminium contract breaching the daily trade limit after falling more than 4 percent from the previous day's settlement price.
Zinc crashed to its daily trade limit twice in the session, dropping to 17,165 yuan early in the session and closing at that level later.