Latest official mine production figures published by Peru’s mines ministry shows May production of copper, lead, zinc and tin all down on corresponding levels recorded in May 2010, with tin showing the biggest decline. May output of tin-in-concentrate was only 2,189 tonnes, down 24.7% year-on-year. Production of the other base metals was down by between 4.7% (copper) and 10.1% (lead). Cumulative tin production in the first five months of 2011 was 11,327 tonnes, down 25.9% on the same period of last year.
As previously reported, Minsur’s San Rafael mine in Puno province – the only tin producer in Peru – operated at reduced capacity from last September, due to temporary restrictions on tailings disposal which have now been lifted. The mine returned to full production of some 3,000 tpm at the end of May, although there has subsequently been some disruption to ore shipments from the mine to the company’s smelter by protestors against government policies forming roadblocks along the route.
