Peruvians worried about illegal mining

RPP News reported on the local community of Las Lomas in the department of Piura. The locals are worried about the presence of miners from Ecuador who have started mining illegally in the area, using dangerous heavy metals that are heavily polluting the local waterways. The miners have already started using heavy machinery and are not assuming any responsibility for the environmental damage they are inflicting.

In a model example of how the Peruvian government would like mining to happen in the country, the local community of Cotarusi in the department of Apurímac authorized the mining exploration project of Misha de Barrick Misquilchilca. This was an official prior consultation of the local quechua community, involving both the mining company and the central government.

The locals simply asked that the State and the mining company respect their customs and collective rights. Interestingly, the local also asked that the State continue to play a role in monitoring and supervising the exploratory mining activity in the area.

Understandably, the subject of mining has featured prominently in the Peruvian presidential electoral campaign. Leading candidate Keiko Fujimori proposed making the local communities abutting medium and large mining projects part owners of the mining projects. Gestión noted that the current Colombian government has proposed a similar plan, but it is on indefinite hold.