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(Reuters) -Chinese copper miner MMG Ltd said on Monday its Las Bambas mine in Peru would likely have to halt production from Feb. 1 due to a shortage of “critical supplies” leading to a slowdown of operations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Melbourne-headquartered miner said the shortage of supplies was due to transport disruptions from protests in Peru. Protesters have been blocking traffic in and out of the copper mine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Peru, the world’s second-largest copper producer, has been gripped by growing unrest following weeks of sometimes violent anti-government protests triggered by the ouster of the country’s former president last month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Glencore suspended operations at its Antapaccay copper mine on Jan. 20 after protestors attacked the premises for a third time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A source at MMG had told Reuters production would continue as long as there was a stock of supplies, but MMG said on Monday that supplies were running low.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The mine is expected to enter maintainance if the protests do not ease.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n