Mining news in Peru

With the backdrop of the UN Climate Change Conference currently occurring in Lima, the Associated Press released new photos documenting the impact of illegal gold mining on La Pampa in the Madre de Dios region. The AP initially released a few images to accompany the articles describing the Peruvian government’s campaign against the illegal mining operations, but these newly-released photos are much more impactful. The release of these devastating black-and-white photos was likely timed to coincide with the UN talks in Lima.

In related news, Peruvian reporter Cecilia Valenzuela wrote about the nexuses between the Colombian terrorist organization, the FARC, and illegal Peruvian gold mining operations. She reported that, for at least the last three years, the FARC has controlled operations along the Colombian-Peruvian border. The head of the FARC’s 63^rd Front, “Wilmer the donkey,” has been charging illegal gold miners in the border area for protection and logistical support. Valenzuela lamented the tremendous environmental damage and the impact on local indigenous communities caused by this cross-border criminal alliance.

In response to Valenzuela’s report, the Peruvian High Commissioner against illegal mining, Augusto Soto Castagnola, spoke with El Peruano to say that Peru is already taking steps to coordinate action against the illegal activity happening in its jungle border regions. Nonetheless, Castagnola’s vague description of the actions being taken lends credence to Valenzuela’s assertion that not enough is being done. Castagnola said, “It is an important regional issue, and with my fellow officials in other countries, we have coordinated and visited, although we have different legal norms and strategies, we have the same concern, and our objective is to eradicate illegal mining.”