By Marcelo Rochabrun

LIMA (Reuters – Protesters from the Peruvian community have blocked a road that MMG Ltd uses to transport its Las Bambas mine. However, it remains uncertain if MMG Ltd will resume operations based upon the truce signed Wednesday.

Las Bambas did not comment but said that it could only operate if there is an indefinite road clearing.

Victor Villa, an advisor to Chumbivilcas Provinces protestors, confirmed that the decision was made to open the road to Reuters. The government said Wednesday that several communities had accepted to remove the blockade. However, some are still considering the possibility.

Blockade that has been in effect for more than a month halted production at the mine which is responsible for some 2% global copper output. This created major problems for President Pedro Castillo’s government.

Victor Villa, an adviser to the Chumbivilcas protestors, said, “We’re going to grant them a truce today in the afternoon. We are going release the statement that will clear the road up to the 30th this month.”

Villa spoke out about the temporary truce saying that it was important to remain cautious. She noted that there have been previous offers made by politicians to the region but they failed to make good on them.

It is possible for the road to remain unobstructed after Dec. 30th, but that would be dependent on any agreements struck during Prime Minister Mirtha Varquez’s planned visit.

Since 2016, the Las Bambas mine was a hotbed of protests. Blockades have been blocking the roads for more than 400 days.

Vasquez urged the protesting community to clean the roads on Tuesday but wasn’t clear about what the consequences would be. While she did not rule out the possibility of a declaration of a state-of- emergency, she said she preferred to have dialogue.