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Peruvian President Rejects Call to Cancel Copper Mining Project Permit Amid
Protests

Reuters

   LIMA - Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra rejected the demand of a
   regional governor on Tuesday to cancel within 72 hours the construction
   permit for a copper mining project that has led to protests.

   Residents from the area bordering Southern Copper Corp.'s $1.4 billion
   Tia Maria copper mine project in the south of Peru, which is the second
   largest copper producer in the world, began protesting on Monday with a
   blockade of a portion of Peru's main coastal highway.

   Officials from the southern region of Arequipa said the government had
   not taken into account the community's concern that the mining
   operation would contaminate its water sources and land when it granted
   a construction permit on July 9.

   Arequipa Governor Elmer Caceres called on Vizcarra to cancel the
   construction permit within three days.

   "You cannot cancel [a construction permit]. We have to talk," Vizcarra
   said in a public appearance in Lima, responding to a reporter's
   question about Caceres' request.

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