RE:Second-largest copper producer Peru on the cusp of disaster Peru's decision to implement a new Covid-19 lockdown could affect internal transportation in the world's second-largest copper producer, market participants said.
The mining industry, which accounts for more than 50pc of the country's exports, will continue operations given its importance to the economy. But transportation from mine sites to ports is a big concern, market participants said.
"Peru's government says ports will be OK but my concern is about the internal logistics," a mining official said. "Many Peruvian concentrates are transported by truck and if the country is lockdown, then internal transportation might be affected."
Production and related activities were affected when Peru went into lockdown last year. "So it is reasonable to think that activity will be impacted again," the official added.
Peru implemented its first Covid-19 lockdown in late March 2020. Copper production fell in the following months and shipments also slowed because of workforce constraints in the transportation and port sectors.
Peru's mined copper production fell by 14.8pc to 1.72mn t in the first 10 months of 2020 from 2.02mn t a year earlier."
Peru’s Covid-19 lockdown threatens copper logistics (argusmedia.com)
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