Last update:
2014-04-08

Quellaveco copper mine, Peru

Despite the public consultation rejecting the project, Anglo-American has finally received all permits and favors from governments and plans to start extraction in 2022.



Description:

The Quellaveco copper and molybdenum mining deposit is located in the bed of the Asana River between 3 and 4,000 meters above sea level, 37 km northeast of the city of Moquegua. The Quellaveco mine envisaged the diversion of the Asana river, one of the Moquegua’s largest tributaries, in order to dispose waste from its mining operations, causing contamination of aquifers and land. The Anglo-American company intends to begin copper and molybdenum extraction at its Quellaveco deposit in 2022.

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Basic Data
Name of conflict:Quellaveco copper mine, Peru
Country:Peru
State or province:Moquegua
Location of conflict:Torata, provincia de Mariscal Nieto
Accuracy of locationHIGH (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
Mineral processing
Specific commodities:Copper
Molybdenum
Project Details and Actors
Project details

En su inicio la mina fue operada por Minera Quellaveco S.A.(MQSA).

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Project area:39,000
Level of Investment for the conflictive project5,300,000,000
Type of populationRural
Affected Population:20,000
Start of the conflict:01/01/2000
Company names or state enterprises:Anglo American from United Kingdom
Mitsubishi Corporation from Japan
ANGLO AMERICAN QUELLAVECO S.A. from Peru - SUBSIDIARY
Relevant government actors:Gobierno Regional de Moquegua, Gobierno Regional de Tacna.
instituto Nacional de Desarrollo (INADE), Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA), Ministerio de Energía y Minas (MINEM)
International and Finance InstitutionsThe 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)
United Nations Envrionmental Program (UNEP)
International Finance Corporation (of World Bank) (IFC) from United States of America
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available:Frente de Defensa de Carumas, Frente de Defensa de Cuchumbaya, Frente de Defensa de San Cristobal, Labor, CORECAMI Moquegua (miembro de la CONACAMI), Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), Global Green Grant - USA
Conflict & Mobilization
IntensityHIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...)
Reaction stageIn REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation)
Groups mobilizing:Farmers
Indigenous groups or traditional communities
Local ejos
Local government/political parties
Neighbours/citizens/communities
Social movements
Ethnically/racially discriminated groups
Forms of mobilization:Blockades
Development of a network/collective action
Involvement of national and international NGOs
Media based activism/alternative media
Objections to the EIA
Official complaint letters and petitions
Public campaigns
Referendum other local consultations
Street protest/marches
Public consultation in district of Torata
Impacts
Environmental ImpactsVisible: Soil erosion, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Air pollution, Noise pollution
Potential: Desertification/Drought, Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Waste overflow, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity, Mine tailing spills
Health ImpactsPotential: Malnutrition, Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution
Socio-economical ImpactsPotential: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Militarization and increased police presence, Land dispossession, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures
Outcome
Project StatusUnder construction
Conflict outcome / response:Compensation
Negotiated alternative solution
Repression
Under negotiation
Violent targeting of activists
Application of existing regulations
New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?:No
Briefly explain:The project has received all permits and favors from governments and plans to start extraction in 2022.
Sources & Materials
References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries

[1] Friends of the Earth - Angloamerican plc: financing the summit, plundering the earth
[click to view]

[6] Friends of the Earth - Water justice for all global and local resistance to the control

and commodification of water
[click to view]

[10] OCMAL QUELLAVECO
[click to view]

[15] Anglo-American

Proyecto Quellaveco
[click to view]

The Quellaveco Mine: Free Water for Mining in Peru’s Driest Desert?

An environmental impact assessment

Report prepared by: Robert E. Moran, Ph.D.

March 2002
[click to view]

Quellaveco Open Pit Copper Mine client of FLUOR co.
[click to view]

[2] TRASNACIONALES MINERAS Y ECOCIDIO EN EL PERÚ
[click to view]

[3] El Comercio, 13 de julio de 2012

Aprobaron ejecución de proyecto Quellaveco de US$3.300 millones
[click to view]

[4] Anglo American Quellaveco S.A. Proyecto Quellaveco Modificación del Estudio de Impacto Ambiental Informe Final Setiembre 2008
[click to view]

[7] Diarios SIn Fronteras - Denuncian contaminación de aguas de río Asana

Publicado el 5 Abril, 2021
[click to view]

[8] OCMAL. LOS RETOS DE QUELLAVECO
[click to view]

[9] grupoiniciativaanticorrupcionilo.blogspot.com

Consulta en Torata
[click to view]

[11] Piden cancelación de proyecto
[click to view]

[11] La República - 12 May 2020

Moquegua: Seguirá vigente comité que vigila acuerdos con proyecto minero QuellavecoComité de Monitoreo creado por el gobierno
[click to view]

[12] La República - 06 Oct 2020

Moquegua: pobladores de Tumilaca retuvieron a ministro de Energía y Minas hasta que firme acuerdo
[click to view]

[13] Quellaveco reinicia labores y anuncia inicio de la extracción en 2022
[click to view]

[14] Covid-19 entre los trabajadores de Quellaveco
[click to view]

Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network

Radio Pachamama, noticias sobre Quellaveco
[click to view]

Meta information
Contributor:Patricio Chavez y JMA
Last update08/04/2014
Conflict ID:808
Comments
Legal notice / Aviso legal
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