Costa Rica industrial metals exports up in May

Costa Rica's industrial metals exports totaled US$38.7mn in May, up from US$36.1mn in the same month last year, according to export promotion agency Procomer.

The figure includes US$13.8mn in cast iron and steel, up from US$13.6mn, and US$7.98mn in cast iron and steel products, down from US$8.59mn.

Exports of aluminum and aluminum products were worth US$9.46mn, up from US$7.66mn, while copper and copper products exports totaled US$2.91mn, up from US$2.45mn.

Lead and lead products exports were worth US$1.28mn, up from US$845,500, while exports in the various base metals products category totaled US$2.19mn, down from US$2.24mn.

Costa Rica exported gold worth US$1.08mn, down from US$2.06mn in May 2013.

During the first five months of 2014, industrial metals exports totaled US$177mn, up from US$173mn in the year-ago period, with gold exports at US$5.30mn, down from US$7.77mn.

Companies with industrial metals operations in Costa Rica include Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, while London-based Ascot Mining has the Chassoul gold mine. More than 250 artisanal gold miners operate in the country's Corcovado national park.