Peruvian community says it will block the main mining roads used at the Las Bambas mine in MMG

Peruvian communities will block a major mining road used by MMG's Las Bambas copper mine in protest after failed negotiations with the Andean government, a community leader said on Monday.

Victor Limaypuma, chairman of the Cotabambas National Defense Front, said the blockade would be carried out indefinitely and affect all vehicles passing through the road. Peru is the second largest copper producer in the world and, Las Bambas is the fourth largest copper mine in the country.

The mine, located in the province of Cotabambas in the Peruvian Andes, has faced strong local opposition since it began operating in 2016. Local leaders blocked the dirt road used to transport copper, the so-called "mining corridor", for more than 300 days since then.

Limaypuma and other leaders say, Las Bambas has brought pollution to the region and has little impact on economic development.

Pedro Castillo (Pedro Castillo) 's presidency also brought hope to the mine, where he won overwhelming support. Castillo wants higher taxes from miners, in part to address long-standing tensions with surrounding rural communities.

The road is a critical point of tension because hundreds of trucks pass through it every day, disrupting the lives of nearby residents.

A few weeks ago, the Peruvian government reached an agreement with a separate group to avoid a blockade that threatened Las Bambas's copper production. The agreement was signed with the province of Chumbivilcas and will allow residents to work in mining in Las Bambas.

Nevertheless, the Government has not yet signed a similar agreement with the province of Cotabambas, which is adjacent to Chumbivilcas.