Between
2011 and 2014, there were 153 social conflicts based on problems with
mining and access to water, most of them reported in the region of
Cajamarca.
With a
majority voting “No” in a popular referendum Sunday, local
communities in Peru's northern province of Cajamarca scored a
landslide victory against transnational mining giant Anglo Gold
Ashanti, likely putting a definitive end to the La Colosa project and
setting a precedent for the whole country.
According to
the preliminary results — 20 percent of the vote is still to be
disclosed — almost 98 percent of local residents rejected the
extraction project in the area, corresponding to more than 6,000
votes.
The result
is now expected to force local authorities to prohibit mining in the
town, according to lawyer Diana Rodriguez consulted by daily El
Espectador.
However,
Anglo Gold Ashanti's representative in Colombia Carlos Enciso told
the daily that the consequences will be “minimal,” quoting a
recent ruling issued by the state's council that the effects of the
popular consult cannot be retroactive, but only applies to future
projects.
Rodriguez
responded that the ruling is not binding and can be appealed, while
the government is entitled to question the mining company's right to
exploit its territory.
Full
report:
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