By Marco Aquino and Alexander Villegas
LIMA, March 7 (Reuters) – Mines in Peru are starting to transport copper concentrate to ports for export again after three months of protests that hampered shipments, Energy and Mines Minister Oscar Vera.
The official told Reuters on Monday evening that he had meetings with companies, adding that shipments from deposits such as Las Bambas by Chinese group MMG Ltd. – which produces about 2% of the world’s copper – should arrive on the Peruvian coast in the next few days.
“We already have the mining corridor practically unblocked and in a few days, probably this week, Las Bambas will be able to move its ore to the coast,” Vera said.
Reuters could not immediately contact MMG for comment.
Vera said the decline in protests and roadblocks, which have plagued Peru since the ousting of former left-wing president Pedro Castillo on December 7, was improving confidence in the sector, adding that mining companies were considering new investments. .
The minister said Peru expects $6.920 million in mining investments until 2024 through six projects.
“The most important thing is that very big companies are investing in Peru. They continue to bet on us and let us know that more investments are coming,” he said.
The government is seeking to boost exploration by extending a law to return 18% of sales and local taxes to mining companies, the minister said.
Despite some outbursts of protests, Vera said the situation in the country has normalized, except in parts of the southern province of Puno, where the government is negotiating to bring investment projects to rural areas.
“In practice, the conflict in the country is almost in its final stage. This is the main guarantee for them (the investors) to maintain this optimism,” he said, adding that he expects that copper production and exports increase this year.
Protests have at times caused sharp declines in activity at key mines such as Glencore’s Las Bambas and Antapaccay, although data analyzed by Reuters showed mining has returned to normal levels as lockdowns are lifted. lifted.
Some communities, however, have threatened to resume blockades on the so-called “mining corridor” highway, a crucial axis for the arrival of supplies from the mines and for the transport of copper abroad. (Report by Marco Aquino and Alexander Villegas. Editing in Spanish by Marion Giraldo)