London 03/05/2016 - Peru's copper production climbed 46 percent in March to 188,052 tonnes from 129,076 tonnes a year earlier, the country's Energy and Mines Ministry (MEM) said in a statement.
The country's copper output was boosted by new projects - Las Bambas, Constancia and Toromocho - and expansions at Antamina and Cerro Verde, it said.
Peruvian lead output fell 0.85 percent to 27,280 tonnes from 27,514 tonnes while production of zinc dropped 5.7 percent to 110,861 tonnes from 117,615 tonnes.
In the precious metals, national gold production rose 5.5 percent to 12,937 kilograms from 12,258 kilograms and silver production rose 10.4 percent to 370,550 kilograms from 335,572 kilograms, the MEM said.
(Editing by Mark Shaw)