LIMA, April 12 (NNN-ANDINA) — In February 2023, metal-mining production of copper and iron saw significant increases compared to the same month last year, thus cementing Peru’s position as the second largest copper producer in the world, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) reported.
According to the latest edition of the Mining Statistical Bulletin (BEM) crafted by the Minem’s Mining Promotion Directorate, Peru’s copper production amounted to 192,334 fine metric tons (FMT) last February, up 11.6% from the same month in 2022, when it totaled 172,335 FMT.
This was due to an increase in copper output by Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde (+3.9%), Southern Peru Copper Corporation (+2.3%), and Minera Chinalco Peru (+15.8%).
Likewise, this amount, in addition to the recorded production in January, brought the accumulated output to 390,955 FMT in February 2023, posting an increase of 5.2% compared to the first two-month period in 2022 (371,590 FMT).
At the regional level, Arequipa remained in first place contributing 19.2% of the country’s copper production; while Ancash was ranked second, accounting for 16.7%, followed by Moquegua in third position (15.6%).
The Minem highlights these figures, as they cement Peru’s position as the world’s second-largest copper producer, followed by China, the United States, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which generate benefits to the national economy since this metal is Peru’s main export product.
In the month-on-month analysis, there were increases between January and February in the production of zinc (11%), silver (8.6%) and iron (0.2%); in the case of the latter, production grew 44.6% in the first two months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. — NNN-ANDINA
