Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has recently announced that the Peruvian government has issued a Supreme Decree and declaration of a National Emergency in its efforts to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
To comply with the government’s requirement, Cerro Verde has temporarily transitioned to a care and maintenance status for a 15 day period, commencing on 16 March 2020. During this period, onsite personnel will be limited to critical activities necessary to maintain the facilities pending a return to normal operations.
Freeport-McMoRan owns 53.56% of Cerro Verde, which operates one of the world’s largest concentrating facilities near Arequipa. Peru. In 2019, Cerro Verde produced 1 billion lbs of copper.
Cerro Verde will work closely with government authorities to be prepared to restart operations as soon as possible.