During the first nine months of 2019, the countries of the region imported aluminum and its manufactures from Mexico for $25 million, and about 60% was purchased by companies from the Northern Triangle.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
From January to June 2018, countries in the region exported $52 million in metal ores, and sales to Mexico increased 400% over the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Metalliferous Minerals Market in Central America, from the Commercial Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Exports of metalliferous minerals from Central America summed $33 million from January to March 2018, and sales to Belgium increased 229% compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Metalliferous Minerals Market in Central America, from the Commercial Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Clic to interact with chart"]
Last year the region bought $618 million worth of aluminum and its manufactures from abroad, 8% more than in 2016, and 17% of imports came from the US.
Figures from the information system on the Aluminum Market and its Manufactures in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
During the first two months of 2018, countries in the region imported $7 million worth of aluminum and its manufactures from Mexico, and 49% was purchased by companies in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Aluminium and its Manufactures, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2017, Central America countries imported $96 million worth of various common metal manufactures from Mexico, 14% more than what was purchased in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Common Metals in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
During the first 11 months of 2017, countries in the region imported $47 million worth of aluminum and its manufactures from Mexico, and 60% was purchased by companies in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Aluminium and its Manufactures, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
The approval of the Mining Act has peaked the interest of investors interested in the exploration and exploitation of minerals, which could contribute up to $3.5 billion.
Laprensa.hn reports that "Santos Gabino Carvajal, president of the National Association of Metal Mining in Honduras (Anamimh), said that in the last seven years Honduras has not received a single dollar in mining investment, despite its great potential, and that all investments planned in the country were diverted to Nicaragua and Colombia. "
A group of Chinese businesses has stated its interest in extracting non-precious metals such as iron, lead and zinc.
Santos Gabino Carbajal, president of Honduran metal mining association Anamimh, explained that the Chinese delegation has held meetings with Honduran businesses that own mining concessions with a view to negotiating joint ventures.
He added that the investors plan to return in October with concrete economic proposals.