/REUTERS, October 12, 04/ - German company Mansfelder Kupfer and Messing (MKM), a producer of semi-finished copper products, said it had been taken over by Kazakhstan copper producer Kazakhmys.

MKM said in a statement the sharp rise in copper prices in recent months had damaged its ability to deliver copper products.

"It is the intention of Kazakhmys to develop MKM as the centre of its group for production and marketing of high-value semi-finished products from copper and copper alloys," it said.

Belgium's privately owned Lamitref had decided to sell its 100 percent share in MKM to Kazakhmys, the statement said.

No financial details of the deal were given.

MKM produced 209,000 tonnes of copper and copper alloy products at its Hettstedt plant last year.

[2004-10-12]