Peruvian mining exports reached $42.221 billion during the first half of 2026, a 56 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Shipments of copper, gold and lead led the expansion between January and June, supported by rising international price quotations, according to figures released by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy.
Mining sales generated $27.061 billion in the first six months of 2025. During the first half of 2026, mineral shipments accounted for 74.8 percent of all Peruvian exports sent abroad.
Peru is one of the world's leading producers of copper and precious metals, making mineral sales the principal driver of the South American nation's economy. Statistical records compiled by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, incorporating data from the Sunat tax and customs administration alongside private firm reports, classify mining as the primary component of traditional exports.
Copper and gold dominate shipments
Copper was the primary mineral export for Peru during the six-month period. Shipments of the metal totaled $19.455 billion between January and June, marking a 53.3 percent jump from the $12.692 billion recorded in the first half of 2025.
With that result, copper alone represented 46.1 percent of the total value of Peruvian mineral exports.
Gold ranked as the second largest export commodity, bringing in $15.808 billion over the first six months. That represents a 62 percent increase compared to the $9.760 billion registered in the corresponding period of 2025.
Gold accounted for 37.4 percent of total mineral export value. Combined, copper and gold generated more than eight out of every ten dollars entering Peru from mining exports during the semester.
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru tracks traditional export categories individually, maintaining distinct series for commodities including copper, gold, lead, zinc and molybdenum. Industry trade figures show that overall export value growth was driven by both traded quantities and elevated global commodity prices.
June results highlight price impact
Monthly figures for June illustrated the strong influence of international market prices on overall export values. Peruvian mineral exports reached $6.429 billion during June, up 35.2 percent from the $4.757 billion recorded in June 2025.
Copper exports totaled $2.626 billion in June, an 18 percent increase compared to the same month in 2025. However, shipped copper volume contracted by 16.9 percent over the period, while international copper prices jumped 41.9 percent.
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru tracks separate data series for value, volume and price for copper exports, highlighting how significant price increases compensated for the lower physical quantities shipped during the month.
Gold followed a different pattern in June, benefiting from both higher trade volume and elevated market quotations. Gold exports reached $2.655 billion in June, a 45 percent increase from the $1.831 billion exported in June 2025.
The physical volume of gold exported in June grew by 15 percent, while international gold prices rose 26.1 percent over the same timeframe.
The National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy reports that mining exports consistently form the bedrock of Peru's commercial trade balance. Official trade figures highlight how sensitive national export revenues remain to international market fluctuations.
