Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) Monthly Mining Statistical Bulletin (BEM, Mining Statistical Bulletin) showed that the country’s metal mining sector grew by 7.3% in September, with production of seven metals rising sharply year-on-year, while silver production declined, according to the BNAmericas website. In particular, iron ore production rose 25.2%, copper 2.5%, lead 21.6%, zinc 8.6%, tin 8.8%, molybdenum 40.5% and gold 12.9%.
In the first nine months, Peru’s iron ore production increased by 16.8%, copper by 16.0%, lead by 5.6%, zinc by 5.8%, molybdenum by 5.7% and gold by 0.3% .
The briefing also showed that compared to the previous month, four of the eight major metals increased, including iron ore by 0.2%, copper by 5.6%, molybdenum by 19.2% and gold by 0.2%.
Peru’s national copper output rose mainly due to increased production at Anglo American’s Quellaveco and Las Bambas copper mines.
The increase in gold production was mainly due to the increase in production at gold mines such as Yanacocha, Horizont and Shahuindo.
The increase in lead production was mainly due to an increase in lead production at Volcan and Chungar.
Earlier this year, copper production was affected by social unrest that led to the shutdown of some mines. The head of the Peruvian Mining Association said that production is expected to reach 2.6-2.7 million tons in 2023 and about 2.7-2.8 million tons next year.