Nexa suspends operation of Cerro Lindo zinc mine in Peru due to road blockade

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Nexa Resources, controlled by Brazilian holding company Votorantim SA, said on Tuesday that it had suspended operations at its large Cerro Lindo zinc mine in Peru because of a road blockade imposed by local communities last week.

Nexa's announcement comes as the Las Bambas of MMG Ltd, another large mine, is about to stop production because of a road blockade that began 25 days ago.

Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer and an important zinc producer, and mining conflicts are intensifying as local communities are increasing demand under the new government of left-wing President Pedro Castillo (Pedro Castillo).

Nexa called the road blockade "illegal" and said it would only perform "critical functions" during the suspension and had no end date. It added that workers had been unable to leave the mine since the blockade began on December 8.

Nexa did not give a reason for the protest by the local community. The government said on Monday that it was calling on local communities to allow "people and food" to be transported along the road.

Cerro Lindo is located in the Ica region south of Lima, Peru. Nexa says it is one of the 15 largest zinc mines in the world.