World top copper producer Chile sees copper prices staying above the 2010 average during the next three years, Deputy Mining Minister Pablo Wagner said on Wednesday.
Copper averaged $3.42 per pound in 2010, according to data compiled by the Chilean government.
Wagner said average copper prices could spike to around $4.50 per pound in 2011 and $4.70 per pound in 2012 before starting to decline.
Copper prices in London CMCU3 climbed 1.4 percent to more than $4.28 per pound on Wednesday, helped by expectations of further signs of revival in the U.S. housing sector.
Copper averaged $3.42 per pound in 2010, according to data compiled by the Chilean government.
Wagner said average copper prices could spike to around $4.50 per pound in 2011 and $4.70 per pound in 2012 before starting to decline.
Copper prices in London CMCU3 climbed 1.4 percent to more than $4.28 per pound on Wednesday, helped by expectations of further signs of revival in the U.S. housing sector.
