Peruvian port expansion planned

Japanese and South Korean investors are to finance the port of San Juan de Marcona concession and expansion project submitted by Peruvian mining company Minera de los Andes y el Pacifico (Mapsa) as a private finance initiative, according to the National Port Authority (APN).

Local news agencies quoted APN president Frank Boyle, as saying he had met with representatives from Mapsa, which submitted the US$ 2.2 billion port concession project as a private initiative, and with officials from ProInversión, Peru's state agency for promoting private investment, to discuss the project.

"We've already [talked] with them so they could clarify some aspects of their project, since according to their answers will make some observations to their proposals," said Mr Boyle.

"We are only focussed on the investment part, and ProInversión is focussed on the rail investment," he added.

Mapsa's draft project involves the construction of a pier to transport the minerals to the port of San Juan de Marcona and a railroad to transport minerals to the port.

The first phase of construction is expected to be the mineral pier followed by the bulk and container handling facilities, according to the APN.