Peru copper transport disrupted as informal miners block roads
me-metals: Roadblocks by informal miners in Peru are disrupting transport of copper from large mines, including those owned by MMG Ltd. and Hudbay Minerals Inc., in the latest threat to global metal supplies.
According to me-metals cited from mining.com, Artisanal miners are staging blockades in one of the world’s biggest copper-producing nations to push for a regulatory framework that caters specifically to small-scale mines. The protests continued Wednesday, with copper futures trading near the highest level in more than three months.
While on-site operations are unaffected, transport of semi-processed copper from MMG’s Las Bambas and Hudbay’s Constancia are being interrupted, said people briefed on the matter, asking not to be identified as they’re not authorized to speak publicly.
Chinese-owned MMG confirmed that Las Bambas and other mines have been impacted by the roadblocks, even as production continues as normal. “We remain in regular contact with authorities regarding progress to resolve these roadblocks,” MMG said in an emailed response.
Hudbay didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Rising metal prices have boosted informal activity, which is encroaching on concessions held by large companies and threatening development of some of the world’s biggest deposits. That’s adding risk to global supply that’s been constrained by the shutdown of a mine in Panama and, more recently, setbacks at a major operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Peru, many small-scale miners use a temporary registry called Reinfo, which allows them to operate as they go through the process of formalizing. Reinfo, which has been extended until the end of 2025, is widely opposed by big mining, which sees it as a cover for illegal activity.
The protesters are demanding that the government extend the formalization process without restrictions and are pushing lawmakers to pass proposed legislation for artisanal and small-scale mining, dubbed the MAPE Law.
source: mining.com
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