Newmont Mining Corporation: Peruvian government is being reorganized

This report is part of our former “Harmful Cases” documentation, where we continuously and concisely recorded human rights violations, violations of international law or environmental destruction caused by companies.

Human Rights Violations and Environmental Hazards in Peru

In the beginning of July at least five persons were killed at protests in Cajamarca, Peru, against the mining project Conga. Following these incidents, the government was being reorganized.

Conga is part of the bigger mining project Yanacocha in Cajamarca whose major holders are Newmont and Buenaventura.

The project has extensive impact on people and nature. Gold dust is being washed out of stones with acutely poisonous cyanide; rivers and groundwater are being polluted with quicksilver and arsenic and, therefore threaten the livelihood of peasants.

After a month of daily protests and at least five deaths, the government declared the state of emergency on July 3rd for a period of four weeks. The Peruvian government declared its withdrawal. Hence, President Humala, who has come under criticism more and more, has reappointed the government now.

Please find more information via the following links:

Neue Zürcher Zeitung (DE)

Spiegel Online (DE)

BBC News