LatinNews Daily - 20 December 2021

* Production has halted at the Las Bambas copper mine in Peru’s Apurímac region, as the Chinese operating company MMG made good on its pledge to cease operations in response to escalating protest action that has prevented the transport of material to and from the mine. Álvaro Ossio, the director at Las Bambas, said that he had discussed the suspension of operations with President Pedro Castillo, who he said was “extremely worried” by the development and has “committed to promoting constructive dialogue” with protesters, who accuse MMG of illegally using their land and causing environmental damage. The paralysis at Las Bambas will put serious pressure on Castillo to resolve a string of escalating mining conflicts. Whilst siding with mining companies over protesters would expose him to accusations of abandoning his poor and rural base, a failure to do so could cause significant damage to Peru’s mining-dependent economy.

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