NEW YORK, Oct 22 (Reuters) - U.S. copper futures fell then steadied at lower slightly lower levels early Thursday, as a rebound in the dollar countered robust data from China and lingering supply-side concerns, leaving prices hovering near $3.00 a lb. For detailed report on global copper markets, click on [MET/L] * Copper for December delivery HGZ9 down 2.90 cents at $3.0070 a lb by 10:26 a.m. EDT (1426 GMT) on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division. * Range from $2.9770 to $3.0310. * On Wednesday, the contract hit a 13-month peak at $3.0575. * COMEX estimated futures volume at 11,347 lots by 9 a.m. * COMEX copper prices up over 7 percent on the week. * Copper momentum slowed by dollar rebound from 14-month low against the euro EUR= [USD/] * Copper supported by robust economic data from China, showing annual economic growth expand to 8.9 percent in the third quarter. [ID:nSP452724] * China's production of refined copper hit a fresh monthly record 394,800 tonnes in September, up 8.2 percent from August and more than 20 percent versus last year. [ID:nPEK175104] * Labor stoppages, mechanical failures and deteriorating ore grades seen impacting global supply, while economic activity is beginning to push demand higher - Dahlman Rose. * One such issue is declaration of a force majeure at BHP Billiton's (BHP.AX) (BLT.L) Olympic Dam mine in Australia. [ID:nSYD244674] * Workers at Chile's Spence copper mine to resume wage talks with owner BHP Billiton to solve a nine-day strike. [ID:nN21509686] * Workers at Chile's Andina copper mine demand a 5 percent wage hike to owner Codelco. [ID:nN21517808] * London Metal Exchange warehouse stocks up 1,525 tonnes to 364,075 tonnes on Thursday. [LME/STX1] * COMEX copper warehouse stocks went up 394 short tons on Wednesday, bringing total levels to 58,085 short tons. * LME three-month copper MCU3 last traded at $6,595 a tonne, compared with Wednesday's settlement at $6,590.

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