BENGALURU Copper extended gains to a fourth session on Wednesday as the US dollar weakened, while London aluminium held firm after China decided to remove export tax rebates.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 0.6% to US$9,143.50 per metric tonne by 0140 GMT, while the most-traded December copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) gained 0.8% to 74,600 yuan (US$10,305.15) a tonne.

The dollar pulled back after its recent blazing rally, making greenback-priced metals more affordable for other currency holders.

LME aluminium climbed 0.5% to US$2,657 a tonne, rising for a second straight session.

China said on Friday that it would cancel a 13% export tax refund for aluminium and copper products from Dec 1. China's copper product exports are considerable, while the volume of aluminium exports is significantly higher.

"The reduction in export subsidies is probably also a measure to slow down the growth in smelting capacity, which has also continued to increase due to rising exports," Commerzbank said in a note.

"These measures are likely to support prices on the LME in the long term, as supply on markets outside China is threatening to become scarcer, or more expensive."

LME nickel increased 0.4% to US$15,930, zinc rose 0.6% to US$2,969.5, lead was up 0.5% at US$2,011, and tin advanced 1% to US$29,160.

SHFE aluminium rose 1.2% to 20,720 yuan a tonne, nickel rose 1.5% to 126,430 yuan, tin added 0.2% to 242,580 yuan, lead was up 0.4% at 16,850 yuan, and zinc added 0.9% at 24,905 yuan.

  - Reuters