Peru's President Ollanta Humala, facing simmering environmental and social conflicts, has reshuffled his cabinet in a widely expected move, BBC News reported.


Human rights lawyer and former Justice Minister Juan Jimenez replaces Oscar Valdes as prime minister.


Valdes, a former army officer, had faced criticism for his crackdown on protesters opposed to a huge gold mine.


Clashes over the US-financed Conga project flared again earlier this month, leaving five people dead.


Jimenez is the third prime minister appointed by President Humala, who completes his first year in office on 28 July.


The previous prime minister, Valdes, had been brought in late last year to pursue a tougher line amid continuing disputes over
natural resources.


The Conga gold mine in Cajamarca, financed by American firm Newmont, represents Peru's biggest foreign investment project. Protesters region say it will destroy water supplies.