International metal prices —particularly those of copper— have significantly improved in recent years and maintain positive perspectives, Peru's Energy and Mines Minister Gonzalo Tamayo affirmed Wednesday.
"From a price viewpoint,
copper is nearly at its peak this year at US$272 [per metric ton] and prospects remain positive.
Zinc prices have also had a good performance," he told RPP TV and radio news station.
The government official noted better mineral prices contribute not only to the mining sector, but also to Peru’s national revenue as a whole.
Project portfolio
The mines sector head also noted a number of highly
interesting mining projects —which were somehow lagging behind— have started to pick up.
"We expect concrete decisions on Quellaveco [Moquegua region] and Mina Justa [Ica region] next year. Both of them are copper projects in southern areas," he anticipated.
"And we also expect Corani silver mine in Puno will be in conditions to move forward."
Michiquillay
Minister Tamayo also reiterated the government expects to auction off
Michiquillay project (Cajamarca region) this year. The estimated awarding date is November 15.
Quellaveco
On the other hand, Tamayo described US$5-billion Quellaveco as "a project in good conditions," stressing the venture "has no social license to operate related issues."
Likewise, he projected Anglo American could decide to push the project forward in the second quarter of 2018.
(END) CNA/JJN/DHT/MVB