Colombian exports of ferronickel, a processed metal used in the manufacture of stainless steel, totaled 10,516 mt in February, up 46.3% from the 7,187 mt shipped in February 2013.
The month's export volume, however, was down 18.1% from the 12,833 mt exported in January, according to data posted Friday on the website of the government statistics agency DANE.
Last year's February figure reflects production cutbacks caused by community protests near the Cerro Matoso mine and processing center in northern Cordoba state. Residents then were demonstrating against alleged environmental impacts and hiring practices that have since been settled.
The Cerro Matoso complex is the only site of ferronickel production in Colombia. It is owned by BHP Billiton.
Cash receipts from February's ferronickel exports totaled $42.44 million, up only 0.9% from the $42.043 million collected in February 2013. The flat receipt growth despite the high year-on-year volume growth reflects continuing softness in global ferronickel and steel prices in recent months.
For the first two months of 2014, export volume totaled 23,349 mt, up 30.8% from the 17,858 mt shipped over January and February 2013. Because of price declines, export receipts generated by the shipments totaled $96.17 million, down 5.8% from the $102.1 million collected over the same two months in 2013.