In 2017 the value of sales to Germany and Belgium fell by 6% and 29% respectively, which is explained in part by the suspension of operations at El Escobal mine.
According to figures from Banco de Guatemala, between 2016 and 2017 exports from Guatemala to Germany fell from $148 million to $139 million, and to Belgium they dropped from $128 million to $90 million.The decrease in sales to Belgium is explained by the decrease in the export of lead, as it went down from $70 million in 2016 to $17 million in 2017.
Between January and September 2016 the countries of the region exported 399 thousand tons of metalliferous minerals, led by Guatemala, with 375 thousand tons.
Figures from the information system on the the Metal Ores Market in Central America , compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Clic para interactuar con la gráfica"]
In 2015 Honduras and Guatemala exported ores such as zinc, nickel and other precious metals worth $47 million and $46 million respectively.
Figuresfrom the Report on Import and Export of Ores, Slag and Ash in Central America,prepared by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that in 2015 the countries in the region exported 1,207,000 tons of ores, slag and ash, equivalent in value to $93.4 million.
Processed foods, fuels, pharmaceuticals and chemicals are some of the nontraditional exports which grew by 7% in the first nine months of the year compared with the same period in 2013.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport):
In September 2014, Guatemala's total exports reported an increase of 7% compared to the same date in 2013.
The increase in sales of lead abroad has been attributed to the shipments that have begun from the Escobal mine, belonging to Canada's Tahoe Resources.
Lead exports increased by $141 million between January and May this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Central Bank of Guatemala.
Fernando Castellanos, Head of the Mining Department of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, told Prensalibre.com that "...
In the first quarter sales abroad of lead totaled $83 million, due to the operation of the San Rafael mine, which extracts silver, lead, zinc and gold.
In eighth place out of the top 25 export products of the country, foreign sales of lead in the first three months of 2014 were equivalent to $83 million, while in the same period in 2013 the figure was just $1.5 million , according to the Bank of Guatemala.
Construction of the silver mine, el Escobal, by Tahoe Resources has brought banks, restaurants, a hotel and other businesses providing goods and services to the town of San Rafael Las Flores, Guatemala.
According to an article in Elperiodico.com.gt, "El Escobal, located in San Rafael Las Flores, Santa Rosa, is considered one of the largest silver deposits in Central America, with reserves of more than 300 million ounces, as well as containing lead, zinc and gold. The company Minera San Rafael, a subsidiary of Tahoe Resources, will operate the project for 4 years and expects to initiate the exploitation work in mid-2014. "
Firestone Ventures Inc announces the completion of a mineral exploration program in Huehuetenango.
According to a press release issued by the company, the results of this study will be known in January.
"The company states that Guatemala has 200 kilometers of carbon rocks from the Permian and Cretaceous periods (over 200 million years ago). These hold zinc deposits, as well as zinc sulfide and oxide", reported Prensalibre.com.