Mining investment totaled US$ 1,298 millon
Lima, June 6, 2021.- Mining investments registered in the first four months of the year amount to US$ 1,298 million, which corresponds, mainly, to the construction of the Quellaveco project (Moquegua), Mina Justa (Ica) and the operations of Antamina (Áncash), among others, reported the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM).
According to the Mining Statistical Bulletin (BEM, for its acronym in Spanish), these three regions comprise 50.2% of the investments conducted in the sector during the period under analysis. Only in April, the Ministry stated that mining investments reached US$ 352 million representing an increase of 34.4%, in comparison to the same month last year (US$ 262 million).
By regions
According to the BEM, between January and April of this year, a sum amounting to US$ 366 million was executed in Moquegua, which is equivalent to 28.2% of the total amount; while in Ica US$ 150 million were invested, which represents 11.5%; and US$ 135 million were invested in Áncash, which comprises 10.4% of the participation.
Likewise, it is also important to emphasize the participation of Junín with 8.4% (US$ 109 million), Apurímac with 5.9% (US$ 76 million), Tacna with 5.2% (US $ 68 million), among others.
The ministerial entity said that, between January and April of this year, there has been an increase in investments in exploration (9.1%), infrastructure (16.6%), development and preparation (15.4%) and others (53.8%) categories, in comparison to the same period of the previous year.
Exports
In March of this year, the value of mining exports amounted to US$ 2,926 million, which shows a notable inter-annual increase of 60.5%, as a result of the rebound effect of economic activity, this figure especially surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Likewise, last April, the production of copper (38.2%), gold (48.6%), zinc (681%), silver (232.5%), lead (391.9%) and molybdenum (18%) showed significant growth.
According to the BEM, the gross domestic metal product (GDP) in March showed a positive inter-annual variation of 20.4% due to a rebound effect caused by the negative records in March 2020 (-23.3%), when restrictions were implemented in the country.