Laos saw gold production drop while copper output on the rise in the past few years, the Vientiane Times reported Tuesday, citing a report from the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines.

    Gold production from the two major mining projects of Phu Bia and Sepon was 11 tons in 2006 and nine tons in 2007. The figure is expected to drop to six tons this year, said the report. The falling production has resulted in a decline in export.

    Deputy Director General of the ministry's Mines Department Simone Phichit said the lower production was due to the gold mines being exhausted. Sepon mine, the largest such project in Laos, is currently excavating gold ore in an area of only 28 square kilometers.

    Meanwhile, the production of copper increased from 31 tons in 2005 and 60 tons in 2006 to 62 tons in 2007. In the first eight months of this year, 54 tons of copper have been mined, according to the report.

    The increased output is thanks to the continued discovery of high quality copper ores, the report said.

    The mining sector has boosted the Lao economy in recent years. In 2007, taxes, rental fees and royalties from the Sepon mining project generated revenues of 115.7 million U.S. dollars.