(Corrects typographical error in headline)
By Marco Aquino
LIMA, March 3 (Reuters) - Key copper mines in Peru are
cranking up activity again after protests and blockades dented
production, power data analyzed by Reuters showed, potentially
boosting supply from the world's no. 2 producer of the red
metal.
Major copper mines including Las Bambas, owned by China's
MMG Ltd , and Glencore Plc's Antapaccay are
drawing on full power, publicly available electricity data up to
Friday show, after reduced usage amid disruptions.
The data from Peruvian power sector body COES gave the most
rapid and detailed gauge of Peru's mining activity, key for
understanding the supply outlook for the metal, with global
prices already elevated at around $9,000 per tonne.
Peru has been roiled by anti-government protests since the
Dec. 7 ouster of former leftist President Pedro Castillo,
including road blockades in the copper-rich south which have at
times prevented supplies reaching mines and copper leaving.
However, protesters eased road blockades on a key mining
highway last month, which has allowed mines to return
progressively to normal levels of activity, the data showed. The
data did not indicate whether transport of ore has improved.
Copper mines in the country have long faced disruption from
community protests that have at times led to lengthy shutdowns.
Peru's copper production dropped 3.63% in January from a
year earlier, official data showed, the first decline after
three straight months of increases.
Las Bambas, producer of some 2% of global copper, has
operated at full power since the start of March after choppiness
since early February.
Antapaccay, hit by attacks on its site and supply trucks,
has returned to full activity this week, according to the data
and a source close to the mine, after a lengthy downturn, also
since early February.
Representatives of Las Bambas and Antapaccay were not
immediately available for comment.
However, communities in Chumbivilcas province, a key area
for the southern mining corridor, were planning to meet on
Friday to discuss a possible restart of protests.
"For now (the mining road) is free, but we have a meeting
tonight and we will see what measures we take," Carlos Quispe, a
leader of the Chumbivilcas Defense Front, told Reuters.
"If we maintain things or block the road again, that is
decided by the communities themselves."
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Las Bambas: maintenance mode? (Interactive) Antapaccay: Protest hit Antapaccay: Protest hit (Interactive) Peru Mines: 7-day average power use Peru Mines: 7-day average power use (Interactive) Las Bambas: maintenance mode? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Cynthia
Osterman)
Messaging: adam.jourdan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
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