Peru's gold, silver, zinc, lead production rises

 Peru's production of most major metals gained in January, while tin and cadmium fell and copper was little changed, the government said.

Copper production was flat at 111,893t, as higher output at Southern Copper and Glencore's Antapaccay mine offset drops at Antamina and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold's Cerro Verde operation, the energy and mines ministry (MEM) said in a statement. Chinalco, which is ramping up its US$3.5bn Toromocho mine, added 11,642t.

Gold output rose 2% to 368,885oz from 361,940 oz a year ago on gains at mines operated by Newmont Mining(+23%) and Barrick Gold (+39%), while silver and zinc both rose 12% to 9.9Moz and 113,439t, respectively, as higher production at Volcan, Antamina, El Brocal and Buenaventura offset strikes at Minera Raura and Minera Casapalca, according to the ministry.

Lead rose 16.5% to 25,421t, while molybdenum jumped 24.6% to 1,791t.

Iron ore climbed 13.8% to 733,008t at Peru's lone iron ore mine Shougang Hierro Perú, and tungsten totaled 12t at the restarted Pasto Bueno mine.

Tin output at Minsur, the country's only producer, fell 36% to 1,286t, while cadmium production at Votorantim Metais'Cajamarquilla refinery dropped 9% to 62t.

Minerals account for about 60% of Peru's total exports. Peru is the world's third largest copper, zinc and tin producer and No. 5 in gold.