Guatemala - Mining

The principal commercial minerals were gold, iron ore, and lead. Production of antimony fell to zero in 1999–2001, from a high of 1,020 tons in 1997, when Guatemala ranked third in Latin America, behind Bolivia and Mexico. Gold, which was mined from the colonial period until the early 20th century, was no longer a major export item; about 4,500 kg was produced in 2001, in the Huehuetenago District, up from 100 tons in 1998. Rough marble, which ranged in color from white through green, was exported to Mexico and other nearby countries. Large nickel deposits in the Lake Izabal area, with an annual production capacity of 9,000 tons, have been developed. Evaluations continued of the Sechol deposit on the Buena Vista nickel project, and of the Holly Project, a large epithermal precious metal system. Barite, bentonite, kaolin, other clays, feldspar, gypsum, iron ore, lime, pumice, salt, limestone, sand and gravel, and silica sand were also produced, primarily for domestic use. Reported deposits of copper, quartz, manganese, uranium, mica, and asbestos awaited exploitation.