Las Bambas mine in Peru resumes copper production

Market: Metals
10/02/23

The Las Bambas copper mine in southern Peru owned by Chinese company MMG has resumed production after halting at the start of February due to protests which blocked the transport of critical supplies.

MMG said that Las Bambas has been able to secure supplies enabling production to restart, albeit at a reduced rate. But the amount of material the mine has been receiving remains low and if the situation persists, it will be forced to close again and shift into care and maintenance.

The protests in Peru continue to affect transport along the southern road corridor, MMG said.

Las Bambas mine produces about 400,000 t/yr of copper and is one of the largest mines in Peru.

The unrest in Peru has disrupted the output of various commodities in the country. It is the second-largest producer of copper, and the protests caused a rally in copper prices in January.

Continued protests are likely to support the red metal's price in the near future, along with a reopening China, which is expected to boost demand for copper.

By Aditya A

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