(Adds comment from source, context)
By Alexander Villegas
LIMA, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The huge Chinese-owned Las
Bambas copper mine in Peru is set to halt production on
Wednesday as road blockades preventing the arrival of key inputs
to the site have not yet been lifted, a source close to the mine
told Reuters.
China's MMG Ltd said on Monday that the mine,
which at normal times provides some 2% of global copper supply,
would halt production of the red metal by Feb. 1 unless protests
eased, potentially impacting already tight global supply.
"Blockades continue. There are no inputs. According to the
statement, under these conditions (production) stops today," the
source said. Las Bambas is Peru's third largest copper mine.
The Andean nation, the world's second-largest copper
producer, has been hit by social unrest since the Dec. 7 ouster
of leftist President Pedro Castillo, with key mines hit by road
blockades and some attacks by protesters.
The unrest has put at risk some 30% of Peru's copper
supply, brokerage Jefferies said in a report this week, adding
this could bolster already high global prices of the metal.
Around the country 48 people have been killed in clashes
with police and military. Protesters have blocked dozens of
highways with trees, boulders and tires, taken over regional
airports and burned buildings.
The demonstrators, many in Peru's copper-rich southern
Andes, are demanding fast new elections, an overhaul to the
Constitution, the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte and
a clear-out of a much reviled Congress.
Lawmakers are currently debating legislation to bring
forward elections to this year, though this process has been
stalled by infighting between political groups.
(Reporting by Alexander Villegas; Writing by Adam Jourdan)
Messaging: adam.jourdan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
