Peruvian authorities say one person has been killed in northern Peru in clashes between police and farmers protesting alleged contamination by a British-run copper mine.

A top police official, General Ricardo Benavides, says 19 people were injured, including several policemen, in the violence Monday near the Rio Blanco mine.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the mine, accusing the London-based Monterrico Metals of using chemicals that will pollute the area.

The project's manager, Andrew Bristow, says the company has no plans to abandon the mine.

Peruvian officials and representatives of the Catholic Church are due to meet with protesters Wednesday in an effort to resolve the conflict.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.