Peruvian mining exports fell by 12.7% during the first five
months of 2015 in comparison with the same period one year ago, according to
recently-released statistics
from the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy. Elmer Cuba, social
director of Macroconsult, explained that the poor performance is completely due
to the fall in prices, as gold and copper production has recovered strongly. In
the last year, the price of copper has fallen by 23%, zinc by 13%, lead by 19%,
and gold by 16%. In May alone, exports were down
by 16% over the previous year.
In other mining-related news, Peruvian vice minister for
Energy and Mines, Guillermo Shinno Hamaní, rejected
the acts of violence perpetrated by some anti-mining protestors, drawing a
distinction between legitimate anti-mining NGOs and those that simply wish to
perpetuate a cycle of violence.
He told the press that, “There are some groups that
manipulate the people of the communities. They tell them that mining will leave
them without agriculture, that their livestock will die, and it is logical that
this makes them very worried. In addition, opposing mining brings votes. As a
result, that is the capacity that mining companies and government at all levels
need to have: to bring correct information to the population.”
Although the protests over Tía María have dominated the
headlines in recent months, other mining projects are also worried about
protests. Congressman Alberto Beingolea told reporters that he is worried
about rumors of a protest against Angle American Quellaveco’s mining project in
Moquegua, even though that project had the full support of the local community.
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