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Peruvians Stage Protests Over Change in Mining Law


Angry Peruvians have demonstrated in the southern Tacna province to protest the government's adoption of a bill that will mean fewer mining revenues for the area.

Officials say some demonstrators Thursday blocked the Pan American highway linking Peru and neighboring Chile, while others set fire to a government building or hurled rocks at Chilean authorities at the border. As many as seven Peruvians were arrested.

Earlier this week, protesters rallied in Peru's Moquegua province near Tacna to demand a bigger share of regional mining revenues. Authorities say the demonstrators blocked a bridge and took at least three police officers captive.

At least 10 people were reported injured during clashes between protesters and police.

In June, protesters in Moquegua took about 60 police officers hostage, after overpowering security forces trying to clear their week-long roadblock in the mining region. The officers were later released.

Those protesters said the Tacna province has received a larger share of the tax revenue generated by Southern Copper, Peru's largest copper producer.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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