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According to Sonami president Alberto Salas, the Andean nation produced 5.4 million tons of copper last year, which is approximately a third of global output.
The government hasn't yet released the official copper output data for the full year 2012, but in January-November, the country produced 4.9 million tons, an increase of 3.7% year-on-year according to the government's statistics institute.
The metal, which represents about 15% of the country's gross domestic product, 60% of exports and around 23% of fiscal income, will likely average between $3.60 and $3.80 a pound this year, Mr. Salas said.
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