Foreign trade minister, Alfredo Ferrero, has stated that the value of Peru’s mining exports increased 34.1% to £5.34bn in 2005 compared to the year before – Peru’s top mineral exports are gold and copper.

Business News Americas quoted the paper, El Peruano, and stated that “the country’s total exports grew 33.7% to £9.5bn last year versus 2004. The value of traditional exports increased 37.8% to £7.11bn.”

Ferrero said this was due to strong metal prices, an increase in export volumes and increased demand from Chile, China, Switzerland and the US.

According to Oxfam’s Annual Report 2004-05 (Poverty and Development in Peru), the average annual income for people in rural areas – where mines are likely to operate – is just £307. In urban areas £920 and in Lima £1,570. In all cases women earn approximately 40% less than men and indigenous people earn approximately 35% less.