Peruvian Protesters Consent to Participate in Negotiations on MMG's Closed Copper Mine

Indigenous communities protesting the Las Bambas copper mine in Peru have agreed to meet with government and industry representatives on Saturday to discuss the disagreement that has led to the temporary closure of the project.

Las Bambas in southern Peru, owned and operated by China's MMG Ltd, produces 2 percent of the world's copper and contributes significantly to Peru's economy, accounting for around 1 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

The two protesting communities of Fuerabamba and Huancuire, whose members began camping on mine land in mid-April, affirmed in a document obtained by Reuters that they will participate in negotiations. They propose that they should take place outside of the surrounding area where a state of emergency has been declared.

MMG refutes the communities' claims that the firm has not met its social investment obligations.

In a letter to Prime Minister Anibal Torres, the leaders of the two groups stated, "As a demonstration of our true desire for dialogue, we affirm our participation in the meeting."

This week, community leaders stated they would not attend any meetings unless the emergency status for the area surrounding the mine was withdrawn, but Torres denied their request.

Police unsuccessfully sought to remove Huancuire community members last week, while Fuerabamba residents were expelled days earlier.

The state of emergency, which was declared at the end of April, curtailed civil liberties, including the rights to gather and demonstrate.

Fuerabamba was relocated a decade ago to make room for Las Bambas, but continuous protests and obstacles have since halted production at the profitable mine.