NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - U.S. copper prices ended the year up 6 percent after a late rally on Monday after sources said U.S. Senate Republicans appeared to be coalescing around a potential solution to the 'fiscal cliff' crisis.

U.S. March copper futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange settled up 1.8 percent on the day at $3.6525 per lb, as the sources said a majority of Senate Republicans were expected to support the legislation.

That equates to a 6-percent rise for the year, partially offsetting the 23-percent drop seen in 2011, but it is still a far cry from the double-digit percentage rallies seen in 2009 and 2010. Prices dropped 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter.

(Reporting By Josephine Mason; Editing by Nick Zieminski) Keywords: MARKETS COPPER/YEAREND

(Josephine.Mason@thomsonreuters.com)(+1 646 223 8925)(Reuters Messaging: josephine.mason.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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