Kazakh Copper Mine Explosion Kills Three

ALMATY (Reuters) -- An explosion killed three copper miners in central Kazakhstan today, mine owner Kazakhmys said.

Kazakhmys is the world's eighth-largest copper miner and its shares trade on the London Stock Exchange.

A company spokeswoman, reading from a news statement, said a fourth miner had also been injured in the explosion, which occurred at about 10 a.m. local time at the Stepnoi underground mine in the town of Satpayev, Karagandy region.

Kazakhmys said it had set up a special commission to investigate the cause of the explosion.

Kazakhmys expects to produce about 300,000 tons of copper cathode this year. It recently concluded all sales contracts for 2010, signaling strong demand for copper worldwide, including in China, the world's largest consumer.