Mexico sees copper, gold production up

Mexico sees its 2006 copper output at 483,000 tonnes, up 13.1 percent from the 427,000 tonnes it expects to produce in 2005, the economy ministry said on Friday.
Salvador Ortiz-Vertiz, mining co-ordinator at Mexico's economy ministry, said the mineral-rich country expects gold output to rise to 35 tonnes (1.23 million ounces) in 2006, up 16.7 percent from the 30 tonnes (1.058 million ounces) Mexico expects to produce in 2005.
Ortiz-Vertiz said metals output would continue to rise as new mining projects - like silver giant Penoles' Milpillas copper mine - come on line, taking advantage of high world prices.