[follow-up] the protest continues! Las Bambas Copper Mine in Peru may face suspension of production

According to the latest reports, protesters blocked the MMG mine in Las Bambas, Peru, and locals staged three-week roadblocks. Pablo de la Flor, executive director of the National Institute of Mining, Petroleum and Energy, said the road blockade in Cusco, 200km (124.3 miles) from the mine, had lasted for 24 days and prevented the export of copper concentrates worth $530 million. He warned that the company would stop production completely in the next few days.

Earlier, Minmetals Resources Co., Ltd. (MMG), a subsidiary of China Minmetals, said in a report that production at its Las Bambas copper mine in Peru had been affected after local residents blocked a road for more than two weeks. The company said that demonstrations and road blockades by local people had temporarily blocked its mineral transport, which forced it to declare that the performance of some contracts had encountered force majeure.

The company said that production at the mine is still normal and has not been affected by the road blockade by local people, but the road blockade has often caused difficulties for its trucks transporting copper concentrate, which may also lead to a "gradual reduction" of production at the copper mine from this week. If this situation continues and cannot be solved, the, Las Bambas copper mine may choose the opportunity to carry out equipment maintenance works, the company said.

It is reported that for a long time, residents of the community living near the mine have complained about the existence of Las Bambas and lack of local interests, and regularly blocked roads to protest. The mine is one of Peru's largest copper producers, accounting for about 2 per cent of global supply. MMG has previously said that blocking public roads suspended its operations for 95 days last year. The company reached an agreement with the Velille municipal government in September to provide funding for sustainable development projects and immediate payments to families affected by COVID-19.