Peru's November Copper Output Rises; Gold, Silver, Zinc Falls

LIMA, Jan 03, 2012 (Dow Jones) -- Production of Peru's copper rose in November, while output of gold, silver and zinc declined, the government said.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy said Tuesday that output of gold totaled 12,089 kilograms, down 12.2% compared with the same month a year earlier.

Silver production in Peru, the world's second-largest producer of the precious metal, fell 0.3% in November to 289,049 kilograms, compared to the year-earlier period.

Copper production increased 5.8% to 110,458 metric tons in November, as output increased at a number of mines.

Zinc production was at 94,156 tons in November, down 14.3% from the year-earlier period.

Among some of the other minerals, molybdenum had an increase in output of 6.68% in November to 2,062 tons, the government said. Lead output declined 0.29% to 19,342 tons.

Iron output rose 7.11% to 471,985 tons, while tin output declined 2.27% to 2,393 tons.