Las Bambas halt adds to South America copper woes
Fatal accident stops Peru mine as regional disruptions sharpen concerns over tight copper concentrate supplies.
MMG Ltd., a subsidiary of China Minmetals Corp., has temporarily halted operations at its Las Bambas copper mine in Peru following a fatal accident on August 18. The incident, which occurred during pump replacement work at a clarification pond, resulted in the death of two workers and injuries to three others. This development adds to South America's copper supply challenges, as concentrate availability remains tight.
The mine, one of the largest in Peru, produced 410,829 tonnes of copper in 2025, representing about 2% of global mined supply. Despite the accident, MMG anticipates resuming operations progressively from August 21, suggesting the disruption may be short-lived. Peru's labor inspection authority has launched its own investigation to determine the accident's circumstances.
The shutdown comes amid other supply disruptions in the region, including Lundin Mining's recent 10,000-tonne reduction in Chilean production due to weather-related issues. This latest incident highlights the ongoing supply pressures in copper, with Peru being the world's third-largest producer and Las Bambas contributing significantly to global output.
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