Peruvian copper-zinc miner Antamina remains uncertain about restarting its operations after it recorded 210 positive cases for COVID-19 at its facilities.
Antamina’s announcement comes on the heels of six miners at Fortuna Silver Mines’ Caylloma mine in Peru testing positive for COVID-19. Antamina temporarily suspended its operations on April 13 in response to the Peruvian government’s regulations to contain the pandemic.
Antamina did not disclose how the extension of the temporary shutdown would affect its outputs over the next few months. However, the miner recently reported that production in Q1 2020 decreased by 6.600mt to 111,400mt of copper compared to the same period in the prior year. The mine’s zinc production also decreased by 7pc to 79,000mt during the same comparative period.
Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra Cornejo has extended the country’s lockdown restrictions to May 10.
The mining industry is one of the most important economic activities in Peru, which represents about 9pc of GDP and 60pc of the country’s exports. Copper and Gold are the most important metals exported by value.