Tia Maria Copper Project in Peru Encounters Ongoing Delays

Southern Copper’s Tia Maria project in Peru remains stalled, despite government efforts to revive operations. This ambitious initiative aims to produce 120,000 metric tonnes of copper each year at an estimated cost of $1.4 billion but has encountered ongoing resistance from local communities.

Romulo Mucho Mamani, Peru’s mining and energy minister, stated, “In 2024, we have explored every avenue to get Tia Maria underway, but it will take a bit longer.” Protests against the project, ongoing since 2009, have resulted in injuries and fatalities.

Despite these challenges, Mamani expresses optimism, asserting that it’s only “a matter of time” before the project advances. Meanwhile, Peru continues to make progress with two other significant mining projects, Zafranal and Pampa de Pongo.