Peru’s government declared martial law in parts of its southern highlands last week after protests against the $7.4 billion Las Bambas copper mine, owned by a consortium led by China’s MMG Ltd. resulted in at least three deaths. (Image via Twitter @NewsRevo)
Social conflicts and red tape have caused the delay of $21.5 billion worth of mining projects in recent years in Peru, one of the world’s largest gold, silver, copper and zinc producers, El Economista reports (in Spanish).
According to data from the Peruvian Institute of Economics, the country has lost $14.9 billion between 2010 and 2014 in mining exports revenue (based on 2007 prices) that never happened.
The South American country is the world’s No 3 copper producer and mining accounts for about 60% of its export earnings.
But President Ollanta Humala has struggled to resolve opposition from rural communities to mining since taking office in 2011, resulting in the suspension of several large projects after violent clashes between protesters and police across the nation.
Six people have been killed in anti-mining protests so far this year, including a police officer whose skull was fractured during May protests against Southern Copper’s (NYSE, LON: SCCO) $1.4 billion Tía María copper project.
Last week, the government had to declare martial law in parts of its southern highlands after protests against the $7.4 billion Las Bambas copper mine, owned by a consortium led by China’s MMG Ltd. resulted in at least three deaths.
During the 30-day period of such law, civil liberties such as freedom of association and movement are restricted, while police are allowed to enter houses without search warrants.
4 Comments
PaoloUSA
There must be a way in between on the sustainability social engagement front to resolve the issues. Who’s fault it is…………..?
Manco Capac
There is a way around this and there have been a couple of projects completed in Peru in the last two years with ZERO, repeat ZERO community interference, riot or deaths. The key is taking sustainability as a something more than nice words on a corporate website. The key to sustainability in mining is renewable energy. Its the only way you can offer communities something more than a basic income for 10 to 15 years. But if you try and explain that to mining company executives you might as well be pissing up a rope.
vitor correia
Dear Manco Capac, I fully agree with you. Thank you for pointing this out.
Poloko Monaheng
There is always a Valid reason for Communities’ uprising against Mining operations. Manco Capac is absolutely right. Mining Companies exploit mineral resources and never giving back SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT in such communities. Which I regard as a real definition of Exploitation. They interfere with normal life of rural communities, culture, environment etc. Governments as well I take it they don’t care enough for their people at times. They give them less priority, putting money first and neglecting their grievances, which is suppression of the people whose communities are endorsed with minerals. Companies fake behind the term “Corporate Responsibility” but do nothing to make it real with projects that ensure sustainability beyond doubts. Until they get this right, I think people are justified to offer as much resistance as they can. Its Unfortunate that some lose lives in the course of this resistance.