Breakthrough on Quilish
19 November 2004
Citizens protect sensitive area from gold mining
Communities in Peru applauded the news that Minera Yanacocha, operator of the Yanacocha gold mine in Cajamarca, would not continue its exploration on the mountain Cerro Quilish. Area residents opposed the expansion, and did not think the mining company respected their concerns. In 2003, the city of Cajamarca’s declared Cerro Quilish a protected area.
In September, area residents stepped up their protests over the planned expansion of mining to Cerro Quilish, which sits atop the watershed that supplies drinking water for the city of Cajamarca and irrigation for nearby farms. Protestors staged demonstrations on the main plaza of Cajamarca, and blocked the road to the mine after negotiations failed.
In a statement printed in Peruvian newspapers, Minera Yanacocha acknowledged that the mine’s activities over the last 20 years had significantly changed the area, and cited community opposition as part of its decision to stop its exploration on Quilish: “The events that occurred in September have allowed us to understand the true depth of concerns expressed by both the city and rural areas related to our insistence on commencing studies and exploration activities in Quilish…It is for these reasons that, understanding the concerns and wishes of the Cajamarca people, we have requested the Ministry of Energy and Mines to revoke the permit to explore Cerro Quilish.”
The Yanacocha mine is the largest gold mine in Latin America, covering 22,000 acres. It is owned by Newmont Mining Corporation of Denver, the Buenaventura Mining company of Peru, and the International Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of the World Bank.
Oxfam America provides assistance to communities affected by mining so that they can defend their right to free, prior, and informed consent—that is, the right to have a voice in determining if and how mines can operate. Oxfam America seeks to ensure that when mining projects are established, they contribute to reducing poverty and respect the rights of local communities.
In Cajamarca, Oxfam America assists the work of GRUFIDES (Grupo de Formation y Intervención para el Desarrollo Sostenible), an organization that trains community leaders in environmental monitoring and advocacy in order to better represent their concerns regarding pollution and social problems arising from mining activities.
In the United States, Oxfam America advised the financial firm Boston Common Asset Management and its client Brethren Benefit Trust on filing a 2003 shareholder resolution requesting Newmont Mining disclose the social and environmental liabilities of its operations in Peru and other countries.
Oxfam America also supported the production of a documentary video about the 2000 mercury spill in Choropampa, an accident involving a Yanacocha contractor that affected over 900 townspeople. The video, produced by Guarango Cine y Video, has won numerous awards since it was released in 2001.
