The Quellaveco Company envisaged the diversion of the Asana river, one of the Moqueguas largest tributaries, in order to dispose waste from its mining operations, causing contamination of aquifers and land. Resident farmers opposed the project, refused to sell their land to the company and demanded respect for their rights. |
A four year mega-project for the diversion of the Asana river is about to start. The agreement reached in 2012 hasn't appeased concerns for the mining detrimental consequences.
Description
Basic Data
| Name | Copper mine Quellaveco on the Asana river, Peru |
| Country | Peru |
| Province | Moquegua |
| Site | Moquegua |
| Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
Source of Conflict
| Type of Conflict (1st level) | Mineral Ores and Building Materials Extraction |
| Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Water access rights and entitlements Mineral ore exploration Landfills, toxic waste treatment, uncontrolled dump sites |
| Specific Commodities | molybdenum Water Silver Copper Industrial waste |
Project Details and Actors
| Project Details | "The Quellaveco Project is operated by Minera Quellaveco S.A.(MQSA). Majority ownership of MQSA is held by Santiago-based Mantos Blancos, 80%, with 20% held by the International Finance Corp., the arm of the World Bank that invests in private / commercial sector projects. Mantos Blancos is a holding of the South African mining company Anglo American" [4]. The company has already started the construction of primary conditionning works, among which the tunnel for the diversion of the Asana river which "consists of the main, 7.8km long water tunnel with a 1.2km long access tunnel and a 4km long conveyor tunnel". [1] Once operating, the mine would lead to the production of 225,000 tonnes per year of copper and other minerals over a lifespan of at least 32 years [2]. |
| Level of Investment (in USD) | 6.000.000.000 |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Start Date | 1992 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Southern Peru Copper Corporation (SPPC) from Mexico - part of Grupo Mexico Anglo American from United Kingdom - Quellaveco Company was a consortium of Anglo-American Company of South Africa and International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Minera Quellaveco S. A. Mitsubishi heavy industries from Japan Mantos Blancos - owns 80% of Minera Quellaveco S.A. |
| Relevant government actors | Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo (INADE), Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA), Ministerio de Energía y Minas (MINEM), Regional Government of Moquegua |
| International and Financial Institutions | The World Bank (WB) from United States of America Office of the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman of IFC (CAO) The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) - hydrological assessment of the open-pit copper mine project between February and June 2013 United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) - revision of the hydrological assessment of the project International Finance Corporation (IFC) |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), Global Green Grant - USA, Accion Civil Labor - Peru, CONACAMI - Peru, Frente de Defensa de los Intereses de Moquegua |
The Conflict and the Mobilization
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| When did the mobilization begin | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups Mobilizing | Farmers Neighbours/citizens/communities |
| Forms of Mobilization | Official complaint letters and petitions Street protest/marches |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil contamination, Waste overflow, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems Potential: Desertification/Drought, Food insecurity (crop damage), Soil erosion, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity, Mine tailing spills |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession Potential: Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures |
Outcome
| Project Status | Under construction |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Migration/displacement New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study Project temporarily suspended |
| Development of Alternatives | Give priority to the agriculture and food production activities as a reliable and sustainable source of livelihood for the local population. |
| Do you consider this as a success? | No |
| Why? Explain briefly. | Despite the protests and intentions of negotiations held, the mining project continues operating without any consideration to the local population. |
Sources and Materials
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Meta Information
| Contributor | Lucie Greyl |
| Last update | 08/01/2016 |
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