With continuing blockades of the southern mining corridor, La República reports concerns for 14,000 direct and indirect jobs with mines in the area.

As we reported last week, a number of mines have been forced to pause production due to roadblocks, and some direct attacks on mining facilities. The number to suspend production includes Antapaccay in Espinar, Hudbay in Chumbivilcas and most recently Las Bambas in Apurímac. At Antapaccay and Hudbay operators have been unable to move minerals to the coast for export for three weeks.

As a result, 1,946 permanent staff and 2,164 contractors at Antapaccay, and 8,500 staff and contractors at Las Bambas are unable to work. Between them Las Bambas, Antapaccay and Hudbay represent around 30% of national copper production.

There are similar concerns for jobs connected to tourism, which has also been affected by the blockades. The Ollantaytambo Chamber of Commerce estimates that 100,000 people in Cusco have been left without the tourism-related work.