Tintaya Mine Can't Force Aniceta Magaño to Leave Her Land
7 May 2004
Her land was right in the middle of the Tintaya Copper Mine, but Aniceta Magaño held on, day after day. Through Mesa de Diàlogo, community leaders got the mining company to pay for a few hectares where Aniceta could be relocated.
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| Aniceta Magaño near the site of her expropriated farm land. "I don't have any way to make a living anymore." By: Diego Nebel/Oxfam |
Her land was expropriated in 1982, but she refused to leave even though the land was right in the middle of the Tintaya Copper Mine. Aniceta Magaño sustained abuse, mistreatment, and threats, even attempts at her removal by force in 1991. Yet, she held on, day after day, raising her children and leading her livestock to grazing areas while the mining machinery moved among her cows, shoveling out and carrying away the valuable copper ore.
Finally, in 2003, through the Mesa de Diàlogo, community leaders got the mining company to pay for a few hectares of land where Aniceta could be temporarily relocated.
"Before the mines began operating here, I worked on my land. I grew potatoes and raised my livestock and I was happy like that. I was raising my children alone because I was a widow already. After the mines came, everything was ruined. My animals have died because of the pollution and I don't have any way to make a living anymore."
"I haven't even been able to send my youngest children to school and now they ask me what I'm going to be able to leave them as an inheritance when I pass away. I am filled with worry but I can't do anything but sit here alone and cry."
She has been left with only memories of her 100 hectares (245 acres) of land and nearly 180 animals (cows, sheep and llamas), so she roundly rejects the idea that the mine has brought well-being and progress to the zone.
"The communities can't grow crops like they used to. The livestock dies, and there aren't even any jobs in the mines for the young people."
"There is no well-being for the communities or for us. We live a life of bare subsistence here."
