Glencore's Antapaccay Mine Faces Indigenous Protests Over Expansion Plans

 In late March 2025, Indigenous communities in Peru's Cusco region -Espinar- initiated a blockade of access roads to Glencore's Antapaccay copper mine, protesting the company's proposed $1.8 billion Coroccohuayco expansion project. The protesters, representing ten different communities, expressed concerns over potential environmental damage and demanded a meeting with government mining officials to discuss the expansion plans.

The blockade, which began on March 30, disrupted vehicle access to the mine but, according to Glencore, did not affect production. The company stated it was open to dialogue with each of the communities involved.

On April 7, after more than a week of protests, the Indigenous groups suspended the blockade following an agreement with government officials. The accord included a timetable to carry out a "prior consultation process" and to define a reparations plan for local residents .

The Antapaccay mine, Peru's seventh-largest copper mine, has faced similar protests in the past over environmental concerns. The recent agreement highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing mining development with the rights and concerns of local communities.