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The Coporaque district community reported Sunday that it will resume its roadblock against MMG’s Las Bambas mine, although a second community has agreed to a 45-day truce.
Las Bambas, which produces 2% of the world’s copper supply, said it will have to suspend production on February 20 if the road is not cleared by then.
The road to Las Bambas is a critical point in the protests. Dozens of impoverished Andean communities lie along the 400 km of winding dirt road, who have often complained that the mine’s trucks pollute the environment while the company has failed to improve their quality of life.
Both Ccapacmarca and Coporaque are calling for Las Bambas to contribute more to their respective communities.
Since opening in 2016, the mining road has been blocked for more than 400 days by different groups, affecting the mine’s copper production.
The recent blockades have become a major headache for the leftist government of Pedro Castillo, who has promised to prioritize the needs of marginalized Peruvians, but also requires tax revenues from the mines to fund social programs.
Las Bambas alone accounts for 1% of the country’s gross domestic product and already suspended operations in December due to a blockade.