UPDATE 1-Russia mulls 10 pct nickel, copper duty from Nov-IFAX

* Nickel duty may rise to 10 pct from 5 pct

* Copper duty may be set at 10 pct vs zero duty now

* Increase in duties had been expected from 2011

(Adds background)

MOSCOW, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Russia could introduce a 10 percent export duty on copper from November and raise the duty on nickel to 10 percent from 5 percent, Interfax reported on Thursday citing an Economy Ministry official.

"I think that the rates for copper and nickel will be the same," ministry official Vitaly Gudin said. "Most likely, the duty will be applied from November."

Analysts had expected Russia to increase export duties on the metals next year as it searches for new revenue sources to plug holes in the budget.

Copper exports are currently duty free.

Russia lifted the copper and nickel tariffs in February of last year to help Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.MM) and other producers, but it has since restored the nickel tariff.

Economy Minister Elvira Nabiullina said in June that the ministry was looking into revising some base metals export tariffs, but no dates for any changes have been discussed. [ID:nLDE6500MD]

The media has reported that Russia may restore a 10 percent export tariff on copper and adjust the export tariff on nickel, possibly this year, as metal producers recover from the economic downturn.

The government has been examining introduction of a floating tariff on nickel and copper with its rate pegged to international metals prices which requires major changes in the legislation for more than a year. (Reporting by Alfred Kueppers and Aleksandras Budrys)