Peru community rejects talks over copper mine blockade

LIMA, Apr 03 (Reuters): An indigenous community in Peru that has blocked roads to Chinese miner MMG Ltd's Las Bambas copper mine has decided not to negotiate with the government further until the group's lawyers are freed from jail, the head of the community, said on Tuesday.

The government had held a meeting with community leader Gregorio Rojas, in the capital Lima on Sunday and offered to terminate emergency measures authorizing the use of military force in the region in exchange for an end to the blockades.

Rojas traveled to southern Peru to discuss the proposal with members of his Fuerabamba community, which has blocked MMG from using a stretch of road on its farmlands since early February in a dispute over compensation.

But the community was opposed to the latest offer, Rojas said.