METALS-Copper edges higher after report on China stockpiling plans

March 21 (Reuters) - Copper prices in London edged up on Friday, hovering near the psychological mark of $10,000, after a media report that China plans to expand its strategic reserves of key industrial metals this year including cobalt, copper, nickel, and lithium.

The National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, which manages official commodities stockpiles, made price inquiries and bidding for the metals, Bloomberg News reported, without details on volumes or timing.

Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metals Exchange (LME) was up 0.3% to $9,970 a metric ton as of 0303 GMT.

"The strategic buying news doesn't have much impact on metals prices today, due to lack of details," a trader said.

The dollar firmed, bolstered by the U.S. Federal Reserve's indication that there is no immediate intent to reduce interest rates.

The dollar index rose 0.03 to 103.82, as of 0238 GMT, after climbing 0.36% on Thursday.

A stronger U.S. currency makes dollar-priced metals more expensive for buyers using other currencies.

LME aluminium rose 0.3% to $2,666 a ton, lead was up 0.1% to $2,057.5, zinc gained 0.5% to $2,932 and tin was down 0.1% to $35,310, nickel price was down 2.0% to $16,240 a ton.

SHFE copper climbed 0.2% to 81,540 yuan ($11,252.64)a ton, SHFE aluminium was flat at 20,845 yuan a ton, zinc rose 0.6% to 23,895 yuan, lead was down 0.5% to 17,590 yuan and nickel lost 0.3% to 129,890 yuan. Tin gained 1.0% to 281,620 yuan. ($1 = 7.2463 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Reuters staff; Editing by Rashmi Aich)