Total mining investment in Peru amounted to US$4.95 billion in 2018, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM). This represents close to a 26% increase from the US$3.93 billion invested in 2017. From the point of view of copper production there were no significant changes during 2018, although the expansions of Toquepala and Toromocho and the upcoming entry in production of Mina Justa and Quellaveco will be adding new capacity soon. The country, however, continues to face significant social opposition to certain mining projects: after an escalation of protests, the government recently decided to suspend the license for the construction of the US$1.4 billion Tía María copper project, which had been granted just a few weeks before.