From January to September 2017, regional exports of metalliferous minerals totalled $59 million, 40% more than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Metal Ores Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Gold, silver, lead and zinc were some of the main materials exported during 2017, and the main buyers were the USA, Germany, Aruba, Austria and Belgium.
The authorities at the Honduran Institute of Geology and Mines (Inhgeomin) presented figures for 2017 and explained that the good performance achieved last year was mainly due to favourable international prices and to the reactivation in economies such as the United States, which led to an increase in demand for metals and minerals, especially for construction.
In 2012 gold exports to Canada amounted to $377 million, equivalent to 54% of the total exported by the region that year, but four years later the figure has fallen to 0.
Figures of the information system on the Gold Market in Crude, Semi Wrought or Powder form in Central America, compiled by CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence Unit: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
It has been estimated that by the end of the year extraction of mineral resources will have generated about $50 million in revenue.
Extraction of minerals for the production of marble, gypsum, limestone, quartz, common clays and other materials could generate about $50 million this year, according to projections made by the Natural Resources and Environment Secretariat.
In 2016 Central American countries sold 713 thousand tons of metalliferous minerals abroad, equivalent to $61 million.
Figures from the information system on the the Metal Ores Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
From July 26 to 28, companies from the sector will be gathering together in Tegucigalpa to take part in business roundtables and conferences on sustainable mining, water and climate change.
The III edition of the international congress will be held in Tegucigalpa.
The thematic axes of the event are: geological and geophysical explorations, mining processes, software and technological advances, sustainable mining, water, climate change and extractive industries.
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"]
It is anticipated that international metal prices will rise by 11% due to a reduction in supply and a slight increase is projected in the prices of agricultural commodities.
From a report by the World Bank, "Commodity Markets Outlook":
Prices for most industrial commodities continued to rise in the fourth quarter from their lows in early 2016, while most agricultural prices declined.
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.
The Belgian company Nyrstar sold to Morumbi Resources 100% of the subsidiary American Pacific Honduras, owner of the El Mochito zinc mine.
From a press release by Morumbi Resources:
Toronto, Ontario, September 22, 2016 – Morumbi Resources Inc. (“Morumbi” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:MOC) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with certain affiliates of Nyrstar NV (collectively "Nyrstar") to purchase 100% of Nyrstar's indirect subsidiary American Pacific Honduras SA de CV ("AMPAC") and its flagship asset, the producing El Mochito Zinc Mine (collectively "El Mochito") in Honduras (the “Transaction”).
The 150% plummet that exports have suffered in the last two years is attributed to a fall in international prices of metals.
The fall in international prices of metals is the main reason behind the drop of almost 150% in foreign sales in the mining sector from 2015 to date. In the first half of 2015 the value of exports amounted to $256 million, while in the same period in 2016, it fell to $80.5 million, according to the Honduran Institute of Geology and Mines (Inhgeomin).
Less mining of metals such as silver, lead, zinc and iron oxide explains the 17% drop in mining activities in the first quarter, compared to the last quarter.
In the quarterly GDP report up to March 2016 the Central Bank states that"...The negative result in Mining and Quarrying (-17.0%) was associated with a decline in metal ore mining (silver, lead, zinc and iron oxide), which has been discouraged by low prices in the international market, which do not stimulate the development of projects aimed at exploring new mineral deposits. "
The launch of an online approval system for mineral export inspection has been announced.
From a statement issued by the Honduran Institute of Geology and Mines:
Tegucigalpa April 20, 2016.- In a representative event by the Honduran Institute of Geology and Mines INHGEOMIN, a step has been taken towards the cutting edge with the launch of the online Inspection Approval Module for Exporting Minerals, which is a new technology platform that will benefit exporters as a new form of communication between citizens and the INHGEOMIN in its capacity as regulator of mining activities in Honduras.
On August 16 and 17 industry representatives from around the globe will be taking part in business conferences and lectures on the role of mineral resources and the impact of the activity on the economy.
The II International Mining Congress is being organized by the Mining Chamber of Nicaragua and will be held on August 16 and 17 in Managua.
The conference will include business conferences, panels and lectures on the economic and social impact of mining on communities; the role of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources in developing countries and environmental challenges in modern mining.
The new federation is made up of chambers and associations, and suppliers of goods, services and consultancy services in countries in the region and the Dominican Republic.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Mining in Nicaragua:
Representatives from the organizations that make up the Mining Federation of Central American and the Caribbean (FMCC), elected Mr. Sergio Rios, as president of the Mining Chamber of Nicaragua.