MMG’s Las Bambas Halts Mining On Safety Fears
TVPeru Noticias reported that activities at MMG Ltd’s Las Bambas copper mines have been suspended due to unrest at another nearby mining site, citing a union leader.
Erick Ramos Luna, union leader at the MMG’s Las Bambas mines, stated that the company made the decision to stop work at the mine on Friday in order to protect workers from violence as roads were blocked and protests continue over the ouster of leftist President Pedro Castillo last month.
A representative for MMG did not provide a comment.
Erick Ramos, union leader at the MMG’s Las Bambas mines, said that mining activities in Peru, the second-largest copper producer in the world, have been affected by shortages of materials due to unrest at the mine of Antapaccay, run by Glencore. Additionally, he added that a local leader had threatened to take over the Las Bambas mine, resulting in increased security measures.
He also said, “It’s highly likely that overall activities will be halted in the upcoming week.”
According to reports, Las Bambas had suspended copper concentrate transportation the previous week due to broader protests in the Andean regions surrounding the large Chinese-owned mine.
Glencore’s Antapaccay mine, which is situated on the same route used by Las Bambas to transport copper, was attacked on Tuesday 10.01.2023 and two cars were burned, as stated in a press release from the company.
The political turmoil following the ouster and arrest of President Pedro Castillo in December has resulted in at least 40 deaths.
