Members of Indigenous communities have blocked access to Glencore's Antapaccay copper mine in Peru's Cusco region to protest an expansion plan at the site, according to a local community leader.
Starting Sunday, residents began blocking roads and requested a meeting with government mining officials over concerns about potential environmental damage from the expansion, as stated by community leader Flavio Huanque, who noted that the protesters represent ten different communities.
Glencore did not immediately respond to a request for comment; however, a source close to the company confirmed that the protests had obstructed access for mine vehicles.
Images from a local news program depicted small groups of people at various points along the road, holding signs. Antapaccay is the seventh largest copper mine in Peru, which is the world's third-biggest producer of copper. The mine has faced similar protests from local Indigenous groups in past years due to environmental concerns.
Peru's mining sector has also encountered disruptive, and at times violent, protests across many of its major mines. The Mining Ministry indicated in a social media post that it had met with Glencore executives overseeing the Antapaccay expansion plans. Company representatives informed the ministry that the expansion would involve a $1.8 billion investment and that discussions would take place with the Huano Huano, Huini Coroccohuayco, and Pacopata communities. The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the protests.