Peru retained its place as the world’s second-largest copper, zinc and silver producer in 2019, as international demand rose.
In 2019, Peru produced 2.4mn mt of copper, representing 12pc of global production, while the country’s silver totaled 3.8mn mt, equivalent to 14pc of global production, Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), said in a statement.
The Peruvian mining industry produced 1.4mn mt of zinc in 2019, representing approximately 10pc of worldwide production of this metal, Minem added.
Additionally, Peru ranked third globally in lead production, and fourth in tin and molybdenum output, said Minem,without disclosing the volumes of these three minerals.
The mining industry is one of Peru’s most important economic activities, comprising about 9pc of its GDP and 60pc of exports. Copper and gold are the most important metals exported by value.