The largest tin mine in Peru and South America restarts operations in Puno

The largest tin mine in Peru and South America is in Fist. 50 days ago, San Rafaelfrom the Minsur company, paralyzed its operations due to the social protests that spread in the district of antautaprovince of melgar (Fist). Spokespersons for the organization confirmed to La República that this week they restarted their activities after reaching agreements with the Antauta community.

It is a gradual restart in production work in which 80 workers are employed. This mining unit, operating at 100%, employs 4,500 servers, two thirds of which come from the highland region. With the social protests, the mining unit suspended production —first in mourning for the deaths of Juliaca—. Weeks later, he was unable to restart work due to roadblocks preventing him from stocking up on supplies and getting tin out.

It is estimated that in that period of paralysis the equivalent of S/472 million was not sold. Of that amount, at least S/124 million correspond to income tax (from which the canon is financed), royalties and mining tax.

Community members met with company officials to restart mining operations. Photo: Minsur

“To date, only some production tasks have been activated. The most significant processes, in terms of labor employment and production: mine, concentrator plant and projects, will resume in the following weeks. The idea is that the production company resume its 100% production at the end of March. Everything will be subject to the existence of social conditions for the transit of inputs and minerals,” said sources authorized by this means.

The unit’s spokesmen acknowledged that the communication channels are still blocked. Two communities surrounding the operation met with company officials and asked to restart, since several of their residents work in the operation. It is an important step in the complicated situation that still lives Fist.