The government of Peru has repeatedly failed to negotiate an end to the standoff involving six neighboring communities.

Gecamines holds minority stakes in several of the world's largest copper and cobalt projects.

KCM will appoint an adviser to help it find an equity investor willing to fund the mine's expansion.

Nornickel said no one had been injured in the incident.

Late on Thursday, left-wing lawmakers from the ruling Peru Libre party presented a bill to nationalize copper production in Peru.

Las Bambas, one of the world's largest copper mines, was forced to halt operations in April due to protests from neighboring indigenous communities.