Peru's government proposed on Friday "a new approach" for mining companies to end social gaps and avoid conflicts in the sector, a measure taken after several conflicts in the country in recent months.
Peru has planned investments of $53 billion in mining projects, many of them frozen or delayed while they await environmental permits or social licenses from the communities of influence.
Poor indigenous communities have increased their demand for greater benefits for the exploitation of resources, creating blockades on roads and mining areas several times this year. Peru has faced several conflicts and protests from local communities in its mining areas that ended up affecting mining operations by companies that include Grupo Mexico’s Southern Copper Corp and MMG Ltd's Las Bambas.
Prime Minister Anibal Torres's speech, at times applauded by mining executives, aims to calm down businessmen who have demanded a clearer reaction from the government to stop the protests.
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