Peru was for the first time transformed as the largest exporter of copper concentrates to China, the main consumer of the red metal, surpassing Chile. At least this is shown by the relevant figures of Peruvian customs.
As of August 2017, the Asian giant received 3.22 million tons of concentrates from Peru, while Chile reached 2.72 million tons. Although last year shipments of Peruvian concentrates to China were close to equating Chileans, analysts expect 2017 to close with a consolidation of the Inca country.
Among the reasons cited by the Bloomberg agency is the long standoff faced by Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, at the beginning of the year, which lasted 44 days.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring country grew the production of the red metal after the implementation of new projects or large expansions of existing works.
