German industry has increased its stake in the mining industry in South America. Peru is currently in the limelight. The nation is one of the largest producers worldwide for copper, silver, gold and zinc. Germany hopes to replace the US as the main supplier of machinery. The German embassy in Peru organises visits to mines for German businessmen and has set up a technological association of German companies. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- It is shortly after sunrise and time to head for the Andes. Dieter Lamle is the business attaché at the German embassy in Lima. He has 25 members of staff from German companies with him. Most of them are Peruvians representing BASF, Mercedes as well as a large number of middle sized companies. They have come together to size up their business opportunities in the mining industry and have travelled to the remote mountain region of Alto Chicama in Northern Peru. Dieter Lamle: The mines are very focused on the US. They want US products, they buy US products - they’re up there at an altitude of 4000 metres, looking into the distance and seeing only the US...and they don't realise we exist. That is why we are going to the mine to make them aware of German technology and break into this US monopoly that is shared a bit by South Africa, Canada and Switzerland but not Germany. No easy undertaking when you are headed for 4200 metres above sea level. The scenery is pretty spectacular, but no one really