Peru’s mining ministry released official mine production figures this week showing that the country’s output of most metals except copper declined in November. November tin-in-concentrate production was 2,393 tonnes, 2.3% lower than in November 2010. All of Peru’s tin production comes from Minsur’s San Rafael operation, the world’s largest tin mine.

Cumulative production in the first 11 months of 2011 amounted to 26,764 tonnes, down 14.9% on the same period of 2010, due mainly to an official limitation on tailings storage which restricted production up to May. Production at San Rafael is expected to be stable at around or a little under 30,000 tpy for the next few years, although output from its Brazilian subsidiary will increase as production from the Pitinga mine there revives.