International briefs: Peru

DAYS of rioting over a planned silver mine near the world's highest lake has paralysed the regional capital of Puno.

Protesters, mainly Aymara tribesmen, have been demonstrating peacefully for more than a fortnight demanding the Peruvian government revoke the licence for the Canadian-owned Santa Ana mine, mainly with a blockade at the border crossing with neighbouring Bolivia.

But the protest involving about 10,000 people turned violent on Thursday when rioters attacked the tax office in Puno, hurling files and furniture into the street and setting them on fire. Protesters also smashed windows at other public buildings and banks and burned cars. Most businesses in the city were closed yesterday.

The mine is owned by Vancouver-based Bear Creek Mining. It says it hopes to begin production next year. Protesters say they fear the mine will contaminate Lake Titicaca.