Feb. 8, 2010 (China Knowledge) - Yunnan Copper Co<000878>, the third-largest copper producer in China, said that its net profit attributable to shareholders may be between RMB 360 and RMB 432 million last year.

According to the copper miner's filing with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, earnings per share are likely to be between RMB 0.29 and RMB 0.34.

The company said its sales of major products were mainly boosted by the price hike in metals due to the central government's stimulus package. The firm's management costs were reduced, thanks to the adjustment in sales pattern and the effective internal cost control measures.

The firm is considering buying into a copper mine in Kazakhstan in 2010, said General Manager Yang Chao late last year.

Yunnan Copper expects its copper reserves to reach 9 million metric tons by 2012, and it is also seeking more copper reserves in Inner Mongolia and Tibet, said Yang, adding that copper prices may exceed RMB 70,000 per ton this year, although prices are likely to remain unstable.