Energy and Mines Minister Romulo Mucho affirmed that mining investment neared US$650 million between January and February, which represented an increase of 22.4% compared to the same period in 2023.
"Peru remains attractive for mining investment. Our goal for this year is to exceed by far 2023's investment total of US$4.5 billion. We are talking about more than US$5 billion," he announced.
Mucho confirmed the recovery of main indicators, such as production, exports, and tax revenues due to higher mining activity, considering that copper production increased 14%. Growth was also registered in the case of gold (+29%), silver (+17%), lead (+28.5%), and molybdenum (+59%).
"The significant growth of mining production last month, as well as increased investment in projects within the sector, will help increase employment generation in the country," he affirmed.
"The challenge is to exceed 3 million tons of copper by the end of the year, and we are on the way to fulfilling it," the minister added.
Employment
Regarding employment, mining has created 227,032 direct jobs in February, a 6.2% increase over the previous month.
Mining exports also registered important growth, because operations amounted to US$3.104 billion at the beginning of the year, which represents a growth of 14.7% from January 2023.
Furthermore, Mucho remarked that mining generated resources for municipalities and regions worth over S/2.351 billion (over US$635.2 million) from mining canon and royalties, as well as other concepts.
(END) NDP/RMB/MVB
Published: 4/12/2024