The U.S. Mint plans to use less copper and nickel, but more zinc, as it ramps up penny production and cuts back on nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar coins, an agency spokeswoman said Friday.

The mint's zinc needs will increase by approximately one million kilograms, while its copper use will decline by three million kilograms and its nickel use will fall by 300,000 kilograms in the 2009 budget year, which begins this Oct. 1, the spokeswoman told Reuters.

The agency said its metal needs reflect a shift in its product mix of coins based on demand, not higher metal prices.

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