(Reuters) – MMG Ltd stated Monday that Peru’s Las Bambas mining operation may cease production by February 20th after a community blocked a road for the miner. The company had to stop operations because of this.

Since its inception in 2016, the mine, which is owned by China, has become a focal point of protests as well as roadblockades. Operations were last stopped in December 2016 due to another blockade.

Although an agreement was made in December for the restart of operations, leaders from several Peruvian communities rejected a proposal by government officials to avoid future blockades.

Chumbivilcas, which is a majority of Quechua-speaking indigenous people, has repeatedly accused China of not providing jobs and money for the area, one of Peru’s poorest, in spite of its vast mineral riches.

MMG has reported that the new development was made by the local community, which had constructed a blockade measuring approximately 100 kilometers from the copper mine.

Las Bambas said it has had to “progressively reduce” its mining operations due to transportation restrictions. The company also stated in a statement that they were working together with the government to implement the December agreement.

If the roadblock continues, production would be stopped around February 20th.