Copper may hit a low patch as China curbs use

 "Copper may move in the $7,800-$8,000 a tonne range on LME (London Metal Exchange) until September," Arora said.  At 5:27PM, 3-month copper contract on LME was at $8,195 (Rs 353,286) a tonne, down 0.61 per cent from its previous close.  Price trend  In October-December, global copper prices may rise because of spike in demand from emerging economies like India, Turkey, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, and China, analysts said.  Demand from China may pick up from October after the end of the Summer Olympics in August and Paralympics in September, analysts said.  "Most emerging economies are focusing on development of infrastructure sector. This will lead to rise in demand for copper, pushing prices higher," said Prakash Prabhu, analyst, Ventura Commodities.  Market players expect copper prices to surge to $8,800 a tonne during October-December. "Between $8,000-8,800 a tonne is the range for LME copper during Oct-Dec," Prabhu said.  Domestic scenario  Domestic copper market is expected to closely follow international trend in coming months, traders and analysts said.  "Prices are seen in Rs 320-390 a kg range in the domestic market till September," said Prabhu. At 5:28PM, August copper contract on MCX was at Rs 352.45 a kg, down 0.17 per cent from Tuesday.  Domestic demand for copper may weaken Oct-Dec tracking firm global prices, but adequate availability of primary copper in the country is likely to limit the fall in demand, they said.  "There is enough stock of primary copper with the domestic producers. This may limit the (domestic) demand from falling sharply," said Surendra Mardia, president, Bombay Metal Exchange. Sterlite Industries and Birla Copper are some of the leading primary copper producers in the country.  "Prices (domestic) may peak to Rs 490 a kg level by December," said Prabhu.  "Copper prices may remain firm as they are mostly linked with LME. Any fluctuation in the domestic demand-supply will not have much impact on prices," said a MCX official.