Glencore says Peru copper mine expansion 'under review'

LIMA (Reuters) -Miner Glencore Plc said on Friday that a planned expansion at its Antapaccay copper mine in Peru is "under review," amid a blockade that has disrupted operations.

Indigenous residents near the mine have been protesting this week that they should be consulted on the mine's expansion. The company said it will make an announcement when it reaches a decision on the expansion project which is known as Coroccohuayco.

Glencore added in a statement that the decision to halt the project was taken months ago and is unrelated to the blockade.

Peru is the world's No. 2 copper producer and Antapaccay ranks among its largest mines.

The blockade is located along a key copper transport road known as the "mining corridor" that is a hotspot for social conflicts. Other miners that use the road include MMG Ltd's Las Bambas and Hudbay Minerals Inc's Constancia.

Residents along the road, which is mostly unpaved, have often complained that their quality of life has not improved despite the vast mineral wealth in the area.

Antapaccay said in a statement that the blockade was disrupting operations as well as the supply of food for workers at its camp.

(Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun in LimaEditing by Deepa Babington and Matthew Lewis)