LIMA (Reuters) -Peru's government has restored formal mining operations in northern parts of the country that were affected by violence, Defense Minister Walter Astudillo said on Wednesday.
Last month, President Dina Boluarte suspended local mining operations after 13 gold mine workers in the northern district of Pataz were kidnapped and killed by illegal miners.
Peru is the world's third-largest copper producer and most of its deposits of the key red metal are located in southern parts of the Andean nation, while gold and silver are mined further to the north.
Astudillo said the decision to resume operations followed discussions with formal mining companies and Pataz authorities, noting the sector's importance to the local economy.
"There was a clamor from the population for mining activities to be carried out," he said at a press conference following a cabinet meeting.
The minister also said the government had extended the state of emergency in Pataz for another 60 days, allowing the armed forces to take control of the area.
Mining operations will resume for companies and artisanal or small-scale miners with valid permits under the REINFO program, which allows temporary activity while operations are formalized. Activities will be permitted from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, he added.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Natalia Siniawski, Editing by Sarah Morland and Alistair Bell)
