Copper clad laminate (CCL) makers from Taiwan and Korea have been enaged in a fierce price war now that demand is weak and average international copper price has dropped sharply, according to industry sources.

Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Copper prices fell to the lowest in four years as surging inventories signaled a slowdown in metal demand by builders and manufacturers. Tin tumbled to the cheapest since November 2006.

Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Copper fell for the first time in three sessions, dropping to a four-year low, as surging inventories signaled a slowdown in metal demand by builders and manufacturers. Tin tumbled to a two-year low.

Prosecutors say a massive investigation eventually caught up with a 10 wily copper thieves led by a man known as "Freeway Jimmy."

Copper shed 2.6% on Tuesday as investors shrugged off China's smaller-than-anticipated interest rate cut, as concerns over demand due to a worsening economic outlook returned.

Constellation Copper Corporation today announced that it has filed an assignment in bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act .

By Ginger Ding Shanghai.

HONOLULU -- Prosecutors said it took a massive investigation to document the equally massive theft of copper from Oahu highways.

The Australian dollar has opened firmer as rises in base metal prices boosted the commodities-driven currency ahead of the festive season.

By Alfred Cang