Peru PM urges residents to unblock road used by Bambas mine by Wednesday

FILE PHOTO: General view of a mine operated by MMG Las Bambas, in a region where locals claim mining activity has negatively affected crop yields and killed livestock, outside of Cusco, Peru October 14, 2021. Picture taken October 14, 2021. REUTERS/Angela Ponce

LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian Prime Minister Mirtha Vasquez strongly urged communities blocking a road used by MMG Ltd's Las Bambas copper mine to clear the route by midday on Wednesday, saying the blockade had created major problems for the country.

"We don't have more time; this is truly so important to us," Vasquez said in a meeting with leaders from Chumbivilcas province who have been blocking the road for about a month, forcing Las Bambas to suspend operations last week.