Peru - copper, zinc, silver, molybdenum output rise in Jan

Peru, a leading global metals exporter, increased production of copper, zinc and silver...

Peru, a leading global metals exporter, increased production of copper, zinc and silver in January over the same month a year ago, despite softer mineral prices, the mining and energy ministry said on Thursday. The global economic crisis has slammed prices for most of Peru’s metal exports, which account for more than half of total exports and are the government’s largest source of revenue. Gold output fell in January from the same month in 2008. Peru is the world’s top producer of silver, No. 2 in copper and zinc and often ranks fifth in gold.

 METAL    JAN OUTPUT      CHANGE FROM JAN 2008

 Copper    106,796 tonnes      25.89 pct

 Zinc      136,531 tonnes      5.22 pct

 Gold        13,853,518 fine grams        -4.04 pct

 Silver      307,166 fine kg      9.04 pct

 Lead        27,038 tonnes        -4.34 pct

 Iron        336,253 tonnes     -14.12 pct

 Tin         3,434 tonnes    0.91 pct

 Moly       1,474 tonnes      85.41 pct