The Australia-based company said yesterday the blockade in the Chumbivilcas province was along Peru's most significant copper logistics corridor.

"The protests relate to community demands for a large number of logistics transport contracts, as well as classification of these communities as an area of direct influence, having rejected company proposals for social development," MMG said.

It said due to the impact on personnel and supply logistics, production was being progressively impacted and it expected the operation would "have to stop during this week".

Concentrate shipments and sales were also impacted, it said.

"MMG is committed to pursuing active coordination with the national government and communities to reach an agreement based on an authentic dialogue and the continuation of significant social investment in the province," the company said.

MMG owns 62.5% of Las Bambas, which produced 311,020 tonnes of copper concentrate and 3,167 tonnes of molybdenum concentrate in 2020.

The company said last week it was planning to invest US$2 billion in Las Bambas to maintain production around 400,000t per annum in the medium term.

The operation has been beset by a series of blockades since it began operations in 2016.

The government was considering constructing two railroads to service the mining sector, including Las Bambas, mining convention Perumin 35 was told last week.

MMG shares (HK: 1208) closed down 7.44% yesterday to HKD3.11, around the midpoint of their one-year range.