Peruvian President Ollanta Humala has begun sounding out replacements for his prime minister as part of a widely expected Cabinet shuffle designed to calm a wave of violent anti-mining protests in one of the world's leading exporters of minerals.
Two people were killed and 50 were injured in protests against Xstrata's Peruvian copper mine Tintaya on Monday, prompting the government to suspend freedom of assembly in a bid to break roadblocks isolating the mine.
Peruvian Vice President Omar Chehade has resigned over corruption allegations but lawmakers expect him to try to hang onto his seat in Congress, where he could face an expulsion vote later this week.
Peru's new mine and energy minister said on Monday the government would attract private investment to the vast sector while requiring that it bring more social benefits for the fast-growing economy.
Former president Alejandro Toledo announced Sunday that his party was leaving Peru's ruling coalition after President Ollanta Humala appointed an ex-army officer as the new prime minister.
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala has picked Jorge Humberto Merino, who worked for the government agency that promotes foreign investment, to be his new mines and energy minister, local media reported on Sunday.