Reuters reported that Canada's Mercator Minerals Ltd reported 2011 production from the Mineral Park mine in Arizona and said it sees higher production this year from the mine as it ramps up operations there.

The Vancouver based mining company expects to produce 90 million to 100 million copper equivalent pounds in 2012. The company's shares were up 5% at CAD 1.89 in morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

In 2011, the company produced 80.3 million pounds of copper equivalent and 7 million pounds of molybdenum in concentrates.

Fourth quarter copper production was 11.3 million pounds.

The company in a statement copper production in the quarter was lower than expected as mill throughput was impacted by the processing of harder ore from the Turquoise pit at Mineral Park.

(Sourced from Reuters)