Peru's government...suspended approval of all mining projects in parts of the southern state of Puno, which will affect Bear Creek Mining's…Santa Ana silver mine project. The Puno area has been rocked by violent anti-mining protests over the last few weeks, with protesters demanding, among other things, that the Santa Ana project be halted...Peru's Ministry of Mines and Energy...has also suspended the approval of the environmental impact study for the Santa Ana project…[which] is necessary for the project to proceed. The government said that it will set up a multi-sector commission, which will include representatives of local municipalities…[and] will be able to make binding recommendations. Prime Minister Rosario Fernandez said at a press conference that Bear Creek will have to carry out a consultation in the area to obtain its license to operate.