Tintaya Copper Mine
PROBLEMS: LOSS OF LAND
Evidence shows that the state and mine company took advantage of the fact that farmers in the area are illiterate and unfamiliar with their rights.
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| Farmers near the Tintaya Copper Mine struggle to find areas to graze their livestock. This man's cows are near a waste disposal area. By: Diego Nebel/Oxfam |
Community members consistently claim that land sales and expropriations by the state and mine company involved illegal means. In some cases community land sales were handled by corrupt community leaders, frequently without appropriate consultation. When individuals were consulted they were unable to take full advantage of the negotiations due to lack of knowledge of their legal rights or understanding of land sales, and felt threatened into selling under poor terms. Evidence shows that the state and mine company took advantage of the fact that many farmers in the area are illiterate and unfamiliar with their rights. Some farmers said they believed that they could still graze their animals on community lands controlled by the mine, but were later excluded or required to pay grazing fees.
When the mine was first established by the Peruvian government in 1982, several women refused to leave their land, and were allegedly forcibly removed and beaten by police and mine security staff.
People have a right to be consulted about, and give consent to, the imposition of mining activities in their community. The forced relocation, physical attacks, and loss of livelihoods associated with the land expropriations are all serious human rights violations. Oxfam is providing funding and other assistance to document and pursue legal action for those suffering from these actions.