Peru's January Gold, Silver, Zinc Output Falls; Copper Up

LIMA, Mar. 3 -- Production of Peru's precious metals and zinc declined in January, while copper production rose, the government said.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy said Thursday that output of gold totaled 13, 202 Kgs, down 17.4% compared to the same month a year earlier.

Output of gold fell at Barrick Gold Corp.'s Barrick Misquichilca (ABX) unit; at Minera Yanacocha, and at other mines, it said.

Silver production in Peru, the world's largest producer of that precious metal, fell 1.1% in January to 296,421 kilograms, compared to the year before period.

That was due to lower output at various mines.

Copper production increased 0.8% to 102,744 metric tons in January, as a number of mines increased output.

Zinc production was 121,424 tons in January, down 2.9% from the year earlier period.

Among some of the other minerals, the government said molybdenum output rose 16.7% in January to 1,412 tons.

Lead output declined 23.6% to 18,073 tons in January.

Iron output rose 22% to 540,326 tons, while tin output fell 24.7% in January to 2,285 tons.