Base metals strengthened with prices rising by Rs 5 a kg in the local non-ferrous metal market, largely due to the pick-up in industrial demand amid a rising global trend. Sentiment remained firm as copper strengthened to a one-week high in a week in global markets after China's premier Wen Jiabao pledged to support exports and data showed its imports of the refined metal rallied last month.
Meanwhile, copper for three-month rose 0.9 per cent to $7,477.75 a tonne on the London Metal Exchange, the highest price since December 14.
In the national capital, copper mixed scrap and nickel (4x4) advanced Rs 2 and Rs 5 to Rs 382 and Rs 1,060-1,062 a kg, respectively.
Zinc ingot, lead ingot and lead imported also moved up Rs 2 each to Rs 122-128.50, Rs 128 and Rs 126 a kg, respectively.
The following are metal rates (in Rs per kg): Zinc ingot, 122-128.50, nickel plate, (4x4) 1,060-1,062, gun metal scrap, 226, bell metal scrap, 228, copper mixed scrap, 382, chadri deshi, 285. Lead ingot 128, lead imported 126, aluminium ingots 120, sheet cutting 122, aluminium wire scrap 126 and aluminium utensils scrap 121.