CHINA has forecast that annual output of 10 major metals will rise to 46 million tons by 2015 from 31.21 million tons in 2010, and apparent consumption will reach 49 million tons from 34.3 million tons, a news website about China's non-ferrous metals reported.
 

China, the world's largest consumer of most base metals, has set a 5-year plan between 2011 and 2015 for the development of the sector.
 

Beijing has put "industry restructuring" at the top of its list of priorities for the plan as it tries to curb pollution and energy waste, as well as encourage the development of new and high-tech sectors.
 

The 10 metals are copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesium, titanium, tin, antimony and mercury.
 

China expects copper output to rise an average 7.3 percent between 2011 and 2015 and reach 6.5 million tons by 2015, according to a document posted on the website, which is owned by China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

The apparent consumption of copper may rise by an annual 5.2 percent between 2011 and 2015 and output will reach 9.7 million tons by 2015.
 

By 2015, China aims for aluminium output to reach 24 million tons by growing 8.8 percent annually on average.
 

The apparent consumption may rise on average by 8.6 percent annually to 24 million tons by 2015.

Zinc and lead output are targeted to reach 5.5 million tons and 7.2 million tons, respectively, by 2015, or an average rise of 6.9 percent and 5.2 percent annually over the five years.
 

The apparent consumption of zinc is set to rise 5.2 percent per year on average to 7.2 million tons by 2015.
 

Lead will rise on average 7.9 percent annually during the period to 6.2 million tons by 2015.