In the January-to-August period, mining companies invested US$679 million in infrastructure, US$597 million on mining equipment, US$555 million on processing plant equipment and US$547 million on preparation activities for projects, the Mines and Energy Ministry said Wednesday.

According to marketwatch.com, companies also spent US$533 million on production and US$520 million on exploration, the ministry said.

Cajamarca region had investments of US$745 million, while Apurimac had investments at US$554 million, Cuzco at US$507 million and Ancash at US$459 million.

Companies investing in the sector include gold producer Minera Yanacocha, which is 51.35%-owned by Newmont Mining Corp., and Xstrata PLC.

Yanacocha invested US$556 million in the period, while Xstrata invested US$514 million at its Tintaya mine and US$489 million at its Las Bambas project, the ministry said.