Peru's small miners block highways, camp outside Congress demanding registry extension

LIMA (Reuters) - Thousands of small-scale miners in Peru blocked roads and camped outside Congress on Monday to demand extension of a program that allows them to operate temporarily, but which authorities say has expanded illegal mining.

A government bill sent to Congress last week gave small-scale miners a six-month period to formalize their activities after the current program expires on Dec. 31, but miners say that is not enough time.