Troubled metals producer Doe Run Peru could restart its La Oroya smelter in six weeks, after being inactive since June due to financial problems, a union leader said on Monday.

Doe Run Peru – a unit of U.S.-based, holding company The Renco Group – has been unable to resume production at the smelter for nine months because it failed to get loans from potential creditors after banks cut its credit.

"The company told us that in six weeks they could restart operations at La Oroya; they think it could be as early as April 20," Luis Castillo, head of the country's largest mine workers' federation, said.

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