Nexa Resources has restarted its Cerro Lindo polymetallic mine in Peru following a brief shutdown due to an ongoing road blockage.
The company, which produces zinc, copper, lead, silver, and gold at the mine, had announced a mine shutdown on December 14. A small group had blocked road access to the mine since December 8, Nexa said.
Nexa has now initiated the plant ramp up, and will reach full production by December 18. Yearly production will not be affected.
Neighbouring mine Las Bambas, operated by Chinese mining company MMG, said it would halt production on December 18 due to unsuccessful talks with the community to remove the roadblocks leading to the mine.
"The Las Bambas mine has already stopped," Reuters reported Las Bambas head of corporate affairs Carlos Castro as saying. "The [last] plant that has been reducing its processing will end production on Saturday."
Peru's prime minister Mirtha Vasquez said calling a state of emergency would be a last resort to resolve the conflict.
"We are trying to reach an understanding…but when all dialogue options are exhausted we will probably have to evaluate how we will restore the rule of law," Reuters reported Vasquez as saying.
Community organisers are looking to the mines to provide jobs and investment to the area. It may consider a Christmas lifting of the blockade but would reinstate it after the holidays.
Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer, with Las Bambas producing 2% of the world's copper supply.
