Merino highlighted the technical aspects of the report prepared by three international experts on projected water use at the $4.8 billion copper gold project.

The minister said Peruvians should remain optimistic that "dialogue and technical discussion" will be the means to solve problems from now and on.

"We are promoting a positive image abroad to continue to attract investments to the country," he said in an interview with TV Peru.

At a press conference late Tuesday, Merino said the report contained a number of recommendations, "many of which we will have to study."

Government officials noted that the study carried out by the three experts is a technical analysis of the project and the final decision on whether Minas Conga will proceed will be a political decision.

(END) JCR/FPQ/MOC/EEP