MOSCOW, Mar. 23 -- Russia's zinc output increased in January to February by 23% compared with the same two months of 2009, the state statistics committee reported Monday.

The committee doesn't give production figures in tons, only the percentages for comparison.

Zinc-in-concentrate output in January-February increased by 5.2% on the year.

Refined copper output in January-February increased by 16.9% on the year and copper-in-concentrate output increased by 11.9%.

Lead output in January-February was two times the amount produced in January-February 2009 and lead-in-concentrate output was 2.4 times the amount produced a year ago.

Nickel output increased by 7% and nickel ore output increased by 15.6%.

Primary aluminum output in January-February fell by 5.9% on the year. Bauxites output increased by 10% and alumina output increased by 4.3%.