The most-traded June aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed down 0.5 percent at 14,365 yuan ($2,272.08) a tonne on Thursday as the deadline extension to comply with US sanctions on Rusal, one of the world's biggest aluminium producers, pulled down prices.
Shanghai zinc was the biggest loser in the base metals complex, closing down 3 percent at 23,685 yuan a tonne, tracking a 2.4-percent dip in London zinc on Wednesday. All other base metals were also trading lower, with the dollar near 3-1/2-month highs, making metals more expensive for holders of other currencies.