Amnesty International calls for approval of prior consultation laws

Amnesty International called on Peru and other Latin American countries on Friday to enact laws to improve consultation for indigenous peoples in relation to projects in the extractive industries, state news agency Andina reported. The group said there is a “false and dangerous dichotomy” between development and indigenous rights, the report said. “There is a [...]

Peru’s GDP shows 10.02 percent growth in January

Peru’s economy maintained its strong growth rate in January climbing 10.02 percent compared to the same month in 2010, the national statistics and information bureau, INEI, reported. The fishing industry saw the biggest growth in the month and expanded 26.5 percent thanks to a 29.5 percent jump in maritime fishing. Inland fishing fell 2.48 percent, [...]

Xstrata to invest $5.7 bn in Peru’s Las Bambas and Antapaccay

In a Government Palace ceremony this week, Peru formally transferred the mining titles of the Las Bambas mineral deposits in southern Peru to the Anglo-Swiss mining group Xstrata. President Garcia qualified the $4.2 billion project as “the contract of the century.” The $4.2 bn investment in the low-cost, world-class copper mine will be made over [...]

Peru’s Tia Maria copper mine on hold to assess environmental and regional concerns

The Tia Maria copper project in southern Arequipa has been put on hold for 90 days, while a government-appointed technical commission evaluates the environmental impact study and the concerns of the farming communities in the area. The decision, one of several points agreed on after six hours of negotiations by government and regional authorities together [...]

INEI: Peru’s economy up 3.63 percent in January

Peru’s economy grew by 3.63 percent in January compared to the same month in 2009, the National Statistics and Information Institute, or INEI, said in a statement. The increase in Peru’s gross domestic product was led by the country’s construction sector, which expanded by 10.17 percent. Construction’s growth in January was due to a strong [...]

Peru Ombudsman: Social conflicts total 252 in February

The Public Ombudsman’s Office registered and monitored 252 social conflicts in the country last month, down slightly from 260 in January, according to a report they released this week. The ombudsmen’s office said 160 of the conflicts, about 63 percent, are active, while 92 are inactive. Discussions to resolve the conflicts are currently taking place [...]

Mine collapses in La Rinconada, three miners dead

A gold mine located in La Rinconada – the highest and perhaps one of the filthiest shantytowns in the world – collapsed early Wednesday morning, killing three miners. According to witnesses, a rock-tunnel caved in and the miners were buried alive. Family members and miners told daily El Comercio that the Ananea Mining Corporation does [...]

Suppliers: Doe Run Peru bailout at acute risk

Doe Run Peru — an affiliate of the Renco Group which operates La Oroya’s poly-metallic smelter — has put its financial bailout package at risk suppliers said on Tuesday, claiming that the mining company has failed to meet terms agreed to last April. In early April, ending weeks of speculation of a government bailout, fifteen [...]

Huánuco residents shut down city, urge Raura Mine to comply with its environmental cleanup plan

Thousands of Huánuco residents took to the streets Wednesday, demanding that the region’s Raura Mine get back on track with its environmental cleanup plan, which it has postponed since 2002. “We’re tired of all these years of pollution,” said Abner Falcón Dávilla, mayor of San Miguel de Cauri. “We urge the central government to defend [...]

Junín residents demand solution to grave environmental contamination in the region and city of La Oroya

Representatives of Junín’s Environmental Association delivered a 9,548-signature petition to Peru President Alan García on Wednesday, demanding a solution for the severe environmental contamination in the region, and especially in La Oroya. Residents have also demanded that Doe Run Peru, which runs the poly-metallic smelter in La Oroya, comply with its environmental clean-up plan, and [...]

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