It is known that Korea, China, and Japan, where non-ferrous metals including copper and zinc are in great demand, are in keen competition to buy them, of which prices are soaring to the sky recently. According to LME prices of end April, copper, zinc, aluminium, nickel, and gold price rose to 7,147 dollars/t by 149 percent, 3,360 dollars/t by 143 percent, 2,728 dollars/t by 44 percent, 20,000 dollars/t by 36 percent, and 630 dollars/oz by 42 percent, respectively, compared with 2004 price. According to a report released on 10th May by Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Energy, the price increase was mainly attributed to speculative funds. Other reasons were short supply by conservative investment, increasing demand, and low level of stock.
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