LIMA - Peru said on Wednesday that its copper output fell 11.2% in May from a year-ago after a stoppage at its Las Bambas mine and lower quality production in other deposits.
Output from the world's second biggest copper producer totaled 174 258 t in May, while output in the first five months of the year reached 898 175 t, representing a drop of 0.3%, the Energy and Mines Ministry said in a report.
Las Bambas, owned by Chinese conglomerate MMG, was paralysed from the second half of April to early June.
Southern Copper Corp's Cuajone mine, meanwhile, was also stopped for almost two months until April due to a protest.
In addition to the Las Bambas stoppage, the ministry noted the lower output reflected a 26.8% drop in production volume by Southern Copper due to lower quality of its output.
That was partially offset by higher production at the Antamina mine, controlled by Glencore and BHP, and in Cerro Verde, owned by Freeport-McMoRan, which rose 3.8% and 12.6% respectively.
Edited by: Reuters
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
