Anti-mining protests continue in Peru

RPP Noticias reported over the weekend that the local communities of Apurímac, Ayacucho, and Arequipa are maintaining and indefinite strike in protest of the local mining industry. According to local protest leader Marco Herrera Huamán, the community of Iscahuaca in Apurímac is protesting the incessant dust in the air caused by the trucks used in the mining industry. The dust has killed Vicuña herds, generated breathing problems for locals, and polluted rivers.

In related news, Peruvian presidential candidate Rómulo Mucho Mamani declared himself to be pro-mining, because of the jobs generated by investment in the mining industry. He argued that the problem with the Humala Administration is that many projects have been poorly managed, and have been poorly explained to the local populations. Mucho Mamani stressed that he will work to change the mining industry’s reputation in Peru.

In oil-related news, Gestión reported that the construction and expansion of the important Talara Refinery is ahead of schedule, at 36.3% complete instead of the expected 22.8%. According to Peruvian state oil company Petroperú, construction on the project is expected to be completed in March 2016, so that the refinery can then receive the new heavy equipment necessary for operating the refinery.