Ongoing protest by informal miners across Peru has entered third week. Protestors have blocked highways and attacked public transport, impacting travel, transportation, and supply chains. In Lima, protesters clashed with the police near Congress building.
The Las Bambas mine of Chinese firm MMG (produced 320,000 metric tons last year) and the Constancia mine of Canadian company Hudbay (produced 99,000 tons of copper) – among the country’s top copper producers – face potential impact.
In Pataz, gold miner Poderosa’s operations have been impacted. The region supplies 40% of country’s gold, its biggest mineral export after copper.
Peru’s central bank expects July 2025 GDP to dip 0.2% due to roadblocks.
Peru is the third largest exporter of copper, a strategically important mineral. Most of it is exported to China. In an unrelated move, the U.S. has imposed 50% tariff on copper beginning 01 August 2025.
Members of Peru’s artisanal and informal miner’s organization CONFEMIN – began protesting nationwide after the government eliminated over 50,000 miners from a formalization program for mining. Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines said the move intended to curb illegal mining. Peruvian officials aim to end the informal mining program called REINFO by the year’s end. It had begun in 2012 as a short-term scheme to formalize miners operating outside the law but has been criticized for enabling illegal mining that harms the environment.
The blockades along a road that connects mines to the coast began in late June as hundreds of informal miners around the country pressed Peru’s government to extend a deadline to regularize their operations.
The US Embassy in Lima issued an alert saying it is tracking demonstrations by members of COFEMIN (National Confederation of Small-scale and Artisanal Mining of Peru) at the Congress of the Republic. COFEMIN members continue to block roads in the following regions:
The US Embassy in Lima issued an alert saying it is tracking demonstrations by members of COFEMIN (National Confederation of Small-scale and Artisanal Mining of Peru) at the Congress of the Republic. COFEMIN members continue to block roads in the following regions:
- Chala, Arequipa
- Chumbivilcas, Cusco
- Pataz, La Liberrtad
- Nasca, Ica
- Avoid demonstrations or roadblocks.
- Exercise control in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
- Limit use of public transportation in impacted areas.
- Exercise vigilance when using public transportation.
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Review your personal security plans.
MitKat will continue to monitor the evolving situation.
Ref: Reuters, Demonstration Alert by U.S. Mission Lima