Mexico mining production climbs 15.4 pct in first quarter ( EFE )
Mexico City, Jun 01, 2004 (EFE via COMTEX) -- Mexican metal mining output rose
15.4 percent in real terms in the first quarter of this year, compared to the
same period last year, the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and
Informatics (INEGI) reported.
Officials said the increase was the result of higher production of copper, gold,
lead, iron, sulfur, fluorite, silver and gypsum, while carbon, zinc and coke
output dropped.
Metal mining production rose 18 percent in March, relative to the same month
last year.
Gold output in March totaled 2,635 kilos (5,804 pounds), while silver production
was 279.7 tons, for increases of 77 percent and 13 percent, respectively,
compared to March 2003 figures.
Production of non-ferrous industrial metals used to manufacture pipes was
spotty.
Copper production skyrocketed 55.8 percent to 32,226 tons, while zinc output
fell 7.9 percent to 34,253 tons and lead slipped 0.40 percent to 12,540 tons.
Of metals and minerals used to manufacture steel, only iron production rose -
just 2 percent - while carbon and coke production fell 9.9 percent and 4.9
percent, respectively.
In the area of non-metal minerals, which are used to manufacture insecticides,
fertilizers, chemical products and in the petrochemical industry, gypsum
production jumped 27 percent, sulfur rose 10.4 percent and fluorite increased
5.1 percent.
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Copyright (c) 2004. Agencia EFE S.A.
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KEYWORD: Mexico City
SUBJECT CODE: ECO
MEXICO
MINING
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