LIMA, May 13 (Reuters) - Peru's copper production came in essentially flat for March at about 219,000 metric tons, government data showed on Monday, with output of the key industrial metal from January totaling some 641,000 metric tons.
Copper output during the first three months of this year is up 3.5% compared to the same period last year, according to the data from Peru's energy and mining ministry.
March production edged down 0.1% compared to the same month last year, the ministry's data showed.
Peru is one of the world top copper miners, with revenue from sales of the red metal prized for its ability to conduct electricity providing crucial support for the South American country's economy. (Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Anthony Esposito and aSandra Maler)
