Fifty-five of the 74 A-share listed nonferrous metal producers which released financial reports for 2012, said they saw declining net profits due to cooling market demand amid slowed economic growth.

Another 11 reported losses in 2012, according to data from the Wind Information Co Ltd, a financial information services provider.

Analysts said the increasing cost of production, large inventories and shrinking demand were the major reasons.

But analysts also said that urbanization may bring structural opportunities for the industry.

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