Latest News

Peru's 2024 copper target is practical, mining tycoons say

The Peruvian government's 2024 copper production goal of 3 million metric lots is practical, senior industry executives stated on Tuesday, as the country looks for to boost mining financial investments to assist raise the economy out of recession.

The South American country produced 2.76 million lots of copper last year, dropping its rank from very first to 2nd for global production of the red metal. It still ranks first internationally for export volumes.

Mining is crucial to Peru's economy, which fell into an economic crisis in 2023 due to unfavorable environment results, social conflicts and a. drop in financial investments.

The 3 million heap projection is practical, Carlos Castro,. manager of business affairs and business development at Minera. Las Bambas, told on Tuesday on the sidelines of a forum. attended by international mining executives.

Las Bambas, owned by the China's MMG Ltd, has actually seen. production drop in the current years in the middle of social. demonstrations by residents requiring greater gain from the mine.

It's an affordable projection, said Raul Jacob, vice. president of finance at Southern Copper, the nation's. third-largest copper producer.

Southern Copper intends to increase its copper production by. 20% this year from 2023, when it extracted 374,149 tons of the. metal, according to government figures.

Peru's Mining and Energy Minister Romulo Mucho revealed the. 3-million-ton goal in March.

We're going to climax this year, we can do it,. the first three months of the year reveal that we're growing,. Mucho said on Tuesday.

Miners' self-confidence comes as copper rates hit two-year. highs.

Victor Gobitz, president of Antamina, Peru's second-largest. copper producer, stated the projection is extremely optimistic, but. still possible. I would estimate production will land in the. 2.8 to 3 million heaps variety.

Antamina, which is managed by Glencore, BHP,. Teck and Mitsubishi, produced 435,378 lots. of copper last year, and wishes to maintain that level in 2024.

In the last year, Peru has actually given environmental authorizations for. the growth of some essential projects and anticipates the building. of others such as Southern Copper's Tia Maria.

Southern Copper's long-stalled $1.4 billion Tia Maria. task in Peru is set to break ground by the end of the year or. in the first half of 2025, according to a senior company. executive.