On Thursday, copper futures fell to a three-week low as concerns about the situation of the Chinese economy sapped appetite for the red metal.
During early London trading, on Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, copper futures for December delivery fell to a session low of $ 2294 per pound, the lowest level since September 2, before returning to $ 2302, down 0.6 cents, or 0.28%.
A day earlier, copper fell 0.2 cents, or 0.09%, after the release of private sector data showing that manufacturing activity in China declined at the fastest pace due the global financial crisis, deteriorating forecasts on demand for industrial metals.
The preliminary value of China's manufacturing PMI by Caixin, released on Wednesday, fell to 47.0 in September, from 47.3 in the previous month. It was the lowest since March 2009.
The weak data underlined concerns over the global economic slowdown.
In recent weeks, copper futures came under heavy selling pressure, as concerns over the global economic slowdown, led by China, roiled traders and lowered mood. On August 24, the price of the red metal fell to a six-year low at $ 2202.
The Asian country is the world's largest consumer of copper, with its share of almost 40% of world consumption last year.
Gold futures for December delivery rose $ 4.70, or 0.42%, to get traded at $ 1136.20 per troy ounce, as market players continue to speculate on the timing of rate hike by the Federal Reserve System.
Most market experts expect that the Fed will raise rates in December, after the US central bank has kept the current policy last week.
On July 24, gold has fallen to a minimum of five and a half years at $ 1072.30, amid speculation that this year the Fed will raise interest rates for the first time since 2006. The time of rate hike by the Fed has become a constant topic of discussion in the markets in recent months.