LIMA, Peru -(Dow Jones)- One of largest mining companies operating in northern Peru says that a 7-magnitude earthquake that hit Peru on Wednesday hadn't interrupted operations.
Roque Benavides, chief executive of precious metals mining concern Compania de Minas Buenaventura (BVN, BUENAVC1.Vl), said in an email message that he wasn't aware of any damage from the earthquake on its operations in northern Peru.
Buenaventura holds a 43.65% share in the Yanacocha gold mine in northern Peru, while Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) has a 51.35% stake.
Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX) runs the Lagunas Norte mine in northern Peru, but no one was immediately available for comment at that company.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that the earthquake struck at 1746 GMT and had a magnitude of 7, with the epicenter near the border with Brazil. The quake occurred at a depth of 145 kilometers (90.2 miles), the USGS said.
The Peruvian Geological Institute said that there is no possibility of any tsunami, as the earthquake was located in the Amazon jungle region.
Copyright © 2011 Dow Jones Newswires
