Pedro Sanchez, speaking to a group of reporters, said he expects the country's copper output to inch up 1 percent this year, and gold production to rise 3 percent. Silver output is likely to climb 6 percent this year versus last, he said.

Peru, a major metals exporter, ranks third in the world for copper production and sixth in gold. It is the global leader in silver output.

Metals exports make up more than half of Peru's total exports and are a key source of revenue for the government.

Peru produced 1 267 867 t of copper last year and 179 870 473 fine grams of gold, according to the mining ministry.