Mexico’s mining production dropped by 25.1pc on an annual basis in April because mining companies in the country halted operations during the pandemic.
Iron ore production decreased by 22.5pc to 463,312mt in April from 598,169mt during the same month in 2019, according to the latest figures from the National Statistic Agency (Inegi).
Copper output in the country fell by 10.8pc to 41,145mt in April from 46,120mt, while lead output dropped by 53.3pc to 5,473mt from 11,726mt.
Non-coking coal production in Mexico fell by 85.4pc to 73,976mt in April from 505,997mt, Inegi said.
Zinc production in Mexico declined by 49.6pc to 14,367mt during the month from 28,515mt in April 2019, coke production declined by 36.1pc to 57,488mt in April from 90,017mt, fluorite production decreased by 15pc to 88,723mt from 104,337mt, and cast production dropped by 14.4pc to 413,767mt from 483,551mt.
On June 1, Mexico’s mining industry restarted operations after halted activity two months to protect its employees from the COVID-19 pandemic. About 370,000 mining workers will return to their activities in the country.
Mexico’s mining production could fall by 17pc this year as a result of the pandemic, which spurred worldwide shutdowns in various industries.
The total value of mining production is expected to achieve MXN203bn ($8.7bn) this year, down from MXN244bn in 2019, said Fernando Alanís, president of the Mexican Mining Chamber.