Peru’s iron ore production rose by 7pc to 1.18mn mt in November 2020, from 1.10mn mt produced in the same prior-year month, on higher production from Shougang Hierro Perú.
Zinc output also rose by 20.8pc to 137,210mt in November 2020, from 113,585mt produced in the same month last year, on higher production from Compañía Minera Antamina, Nexa Resources Perú, and Empresa Minera Los Quenuales, according to figures released by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem).
On the other hand, copper production fell by 2.4pc to 206,387mt during the month under review, from 211,391mt on an annual basis, due to lower production from Compañía Minera Antamina and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde. Lead production also dropped by 19.3pc to 23,815mt from 26,261mt during the same period, due to lower production from Sociedad Minera El Brocal and Compañía Minera Chungar.
Exports
In January-October 2020, Peru’s iron ore shipments by value increased by 0.7pc compared to the same prior-year period, Minem noted without disclosing volumes or value of the exports. On the other hand, copper, zinc, and lead exports by value fell by 12.1pc, 34.7pc, and 6.3pc, respectively, during the same period.
The mining industry is one of the most important economic activities in Peru, representing about 9pc of GDP and 60pc of the country’s exports. Copper and gold are the most important metals exported by value.