21.   The production decline comes at a time of dwindling copper inventories held in exchange warehouses.

22.   The strong U.S. demand contributed to a decline of London Metal Exchange copper inventories.

23.   The strike has slowed production at the mine at a time of low copper inventories, although assessments of the disruption vary.

24.   Weaker demand in Asia contributed to an almost tripling of copper inventories in London Metal Exchange warehouses since late June.