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The long-awaited and twice postponed report from international experts on the environmental impact study (EIS) for Newmont and Buenaventura’s US$4.8 billion copper-gold project, the Conga mine, is finally in the Peruvian government’s hands, reports news state agency Andina.
Peruvian environment minister, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, did not comment on the results, but said he will address the country and the press at 6 pm ET today and that the results will be published online tomorrow for greater transparency.
The report establishes the viability of a proposed water solution for Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) and Buenaventura’s copper-gold project located in in the northern Peru region of Cajamarca. The U.S. company has been accused by locals of potentially disrupting water supplies in the region.
Reuters is reporting that the team has recommended to the Peruvian government that Newmont should make “substantive improvements” before being allowed to restart work on its massive project.
Newmont owns 51.35% of Minas Conga. The Colorado-based company hopes to begin production either in 2014 or 2015, producing between 155 and 235 million tons of copper a year at the site, if it gets permission from the Peruvian government.
Newmont stopped construction in November last year, after violent protests forced Peru’s government to declare a state of emergency in the area.
More demonstrations are expected if the report supports Newmont’s contention that the development will not hurt water supplies. The protests and their political consequences could delay the project further even if the report is favourable to the miners.
4 Comments
Alex Bobole
Newmont is a socially responsible company and would not do evil to harm nature. So we are not purturbed b’cos we know the right we have done and does not expect anything foul out of this report. More so, the good we have is all that we are ready to provide; and always remember that we do things the right way, the safe way, everyday.
Enriq
The problem is not Newmont or its concerns. In fact, the problem is that the small quantity of people from Cajamarca against this project are not going to be benefited from any sort of mining activity. Only politicians (corrupted peruvian government) and those who have power will receive all the benefits. Besides, the land remains to the Cajamarca villagers and most of them dont have education, so they dont have opportunities in a mining or construction field. Other than that, when this mine will start operations, only professionals (foreigners) will work there and the owners (villagers) are going to live of the remains.
However, Newmont might convince to the villagers if it guarantee that the people involved in the future mining operation will be taken from the towns affected or directly linked to this project and the establishment of a transparent organisation with representants from both sides with the purpose of invest in development and improvements of the area. Of course it is a difficult task because most of the richness and money would be invested in the area transparently without political interests.
From a peruvian engineer in Australia
Mshimizularenas
Great to hear so many opinions from mining engineers. It is a mistery to me though why no social specialist were included in the mission as the problems clearly are more related to distrust from local population regarding water and livelihood related issues and poverty. Water is the most important factor for any self sustaining activity, main income generating activity in the area is not mining but livestock. Time to involve more actors and stop hiding behind ‘highly technical’ reports that are not read and not understandable for local people so create even more distrust.
From a Dutch anthropologist with experience in social impact analysis of mining in the region, now living in Peru!
Augusto Patino
All the problems will be solve , if Conga´s proyect uses the water from the sea in its development, instead of wather of the Cajamarca´ lakes , like the El Teniente mine in Chile.