"Chinese mining companies in Peru face protests over Covid-19 risks" - 16 September 2020

...Peru is among the most affected countries, with more than 650,000 confirmed infections...In the last six months, Luis Lopez has been trying to get Chinalco, China's largest aluminum producer and owner of the Toromocho copper mine in central Peru, to reveal what the "real" number of miners infected with COVID-19 is. The union leader says he was later fired...According to López, 39, Chinalco has yet to reveal how many miners tested positive for COVID-19 in July and August, which he says puts thousands of workers at risk at the mine located four hours by car from the capital, Lima...Their demands are backed by non-governmental organizations in Peru and other South American countries who claim that mines run by Chinese companies do not reveal infection figures and do not follow local guidelines for combating the disease...Peru with a population of 33 million, has experienced a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections and is now among the most affected countries in the world, with over 650,000 cases and 29,000 deaths...Officials contacted at Chinalco headquarters in Beijing refused to comment on the allegations and two emails sent to the communications team of the Peru affiliate received no response…