The national production of copper —the main metal exported by Peru— grew 10% in the first ten months of the year, compared to the same period in 2020, the
Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) reported on Sunday.
According to latest edition of the Mining Statistics Bulletin, copper production amounted to 1,893,486 fine metric tons (FMT) between January and October 2021, while it reached 1,721,273 FMT last year.
In the same period, high levels of year-on-year growth were observed in the production of gold: 12.1%; zinc: 24.2%; silver: 26.7%; lead: 13.6%; iron: 54.5%; tin: 38.1%; and molybdenum: 5.5%.
The report, prepared by Minem's General Directorate of Mining Promotion and Sustainability, states that the increase in copper production was driven by higher production from operations of Antamina and Cerro Verde companies.
It should be noted that, in October, Antamina reached its highest copper production level since the beginning of 2021 (45, 954 FMT).
At the regional level, Ancash ranked first in copper production, which represented 20.6% of the total; followed by Arequipa (18.2%); and Apurimac in third place (13.3%).
The bulletin also states that gold production was 79.7 TMF between January and October this year, due to the results of Poderosa and Retamas mining companies during this period.
Silver production amounted to 2,740,577 fine kg from the beginning of the year to October, thanks to operations of Antamina, Volcan, and Chinalco Peru mining companies.
Meanwhile, zinc production, which reached 1,292,908 TMF between January and October, was boosted by the production from Antamina and Volcan companies.
(END) NDP/MDV/RMB
Publicado: 5/12/2021