stated that Peru could increase copper production from the nearly three million tons per year it currently records to four million tons in the coming years.
"Just with the northern mining corridor, which is primarily focused on Cajamarca region's geological heritage, we could increase annual production by one million fine metric tons of copper per year, going from nearly three million to four million tons, just with that corridor," Montero said in remarks to Andina News Agency.
"In the next three years, we could be launching concrete and coordinated projects in the northern mining corridor, in proper coordination and basic consensus with the people of Cajamarca, who have an impressive geological heritage and the right to capitalize on it," he added.
The government official stated that copper production could also increase by exploiting mines in other areas of the country with strong geological potential.
"And that is without factoring in Apurimac, which, with Haquira and other projects, has enormous copper growth potential. Similarly, there is the central mining corridor with Ancash's geological heritage, where large copper deposits are located near Antamina's operation," he stated.
The Cabinet member underscored that Peru could reach record copper production levels in the next 10 years. Thus, the activation of new mines must be worked on.
"Peru could clearly reach remarkably high copper production levels in the next 10 years; but to start, we could seriously consider increasing production by one million fine metric tons simply by activating Cajamarca region's geological heritage," Montero stated.
"Of course, this must be carried out in full agreement with the active forces of Cajamarca —(thus meaning) its regional, provincial, district, and community authorities, defense fronts, and rural patrols— in an orderly, democratic, and transparent manner," he added.
According to the latest Mining Statistical Bulletin from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peru's copper production reached 2,736,150 fine metric tons by the end of 2024.