Peru's key copper projects are moving forward and the country is optimistic about remaining the world's second-largest copper producer, its mining minister said on Thursday, fending off a rise in the ranks by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mining Minister Oscar Vera expressed confidence Peru's copper industry can boost output of the key industrial metal as mines worth some $6 billion come online over the next two years. Congo's copper output has accelerated rapidly and pulled almost even with Peru, while a report this week said Congo could grab the No. 2 spot as Peru's output slows. Vera said Peru mining projects ... (full story)