Mexico's mining output edges higher in April

Mexico’s mining output increased in April amid a surge in sulfur production.

Overall mining production was up 1.7% from the same month last year.

Output grew 0.7% in March, 3.9% in February and 4.7% in January, according to a report by statistics agency Inegi.

The April figures show Mexico’s sulfur output rose 177% to 30,754t.

Fluorspar production was up 5.8% at 86,880t, with copper 5.5% higher at 40,243t and iron pellet output up 5.0% at 597,636t.

Gypsum production was 3.9% higher at 572,586t, with zinc up 2.5% at 31,254t and gold 0.7% at 6,296kg (202,000oz).

Coke production rose 0.6% to 41,351t, with non-coking coal up 0.3% at 395,137t.

Lead registered a 5.4% decline to 14,661t, with silver falling 2.0% to 351,753kg.

Total production in the first four months of 2022 was up 2.7% from the same period last year, with sulfur, zinc and gold seeing the biggest rises, and coke the biggest fall.

Mexico is the world’s biggest silver producer and a top 10 producer of gold, copper, lead and zinc.