In 2001 Minera Majaz S. A., a subsidiary of the English company Monterrico Metals, obtained eight concessions in the North of Peru, including the 6,472 hectares Rio Blanco mine for the exploitation of copper and molybdenum. |
A copper mine in Piura, owned by British and later Chinese firms. Court case in London, and local successful referendum in 2007 against the project.
Description
Basic Data
| Name | Rio Blanco Mine Majaz/Rio Blanco Copper S. A., Peru |
| Country | Peru |
| Province | Piura and Cajamarca |
| Site | Huancabamba, Ayabaca / San Ignacio |
| 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) | Mineral ore exploration |
| Specific Commodities | Molybdenum Copper Rare metals |
Project Details and Actors
| Project Details | The project extends over more than 6.000 hectars. At planned production rates, Rio Blanco would be amongst the 20 largest copper mines in the world, producing on average of 191,000 tonnes of copper per annum and 2,180 tonnes of molybdenum per annum during the first five years. On 27 April 2007, a Chinese consortium, Xiamen Zijin Tongguan Development Co. Ltd (the Zijin Consortium) acquired a majority shareholding (89.9%) of Monterrico. Rio Blanco Copper S. A., which today officially owns the mine is itself owned by both the British Monterrico Metals and the Chinese Zijin Mining Group. The project includes 25 km of new roads and electrical networks, as well as a port at Bayovar on the Pacific coast. |
| Project Area (in hectares) | 6,000 |
| Level of Investment (in USD) | 1440000000 |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Potential Affected Population | 25,000 |
| Start Date | 2002 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Majaz S.A. Mine from Peru Monterrico Metals plc Zijin Consortium (Xiamen Zijin Tongguan Investment Development) from China |
| Relevant government actors | Municipality of Huacabamba - Peru, Municipality of Sndor - Peru, MEM - Peru, Ombudsman - Peru, PNP - Peru |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | CONACAMI - Peru, FDSFNP - Peru, Rondas Campesinas, Farming Communities of Segunda and Cajas - Peru, Asociación de Mujeres Protectoras de los Páramos AMUPPA, Provincial Federation of peasant vigilantes of Huancabamba - Peru, Front for the Defence of Life and Environment of Huancabamba - Peru, CEPICAFE - Peru, Professors Association of Huancabamba - Peru, Frente por el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Frontera Norte del Perú (FDSFNP), Oxfam America |
The Conflict and the Mobilization
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| When did the mobilization begin | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups Mobilizing | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Local ejos Local government/political parties Social movements |
| Forms of Mobilization | Involvement of national and international NGOs Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Public campaigns Referendum other local consultations Street protest/marches Strikes |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Violence related health impacts (homicides, rape, etc..) , Deaths |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: 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, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession |
Outcome
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Negotiated alternative solution New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study Criminalization of activists Repression Deaths Strengthening of participation Project temporarily suspended Withdrawal of company/investment Court decision (victory for environmental justice) |
| Development of Alternatives | More than 90 percent of farmers opposed the Majaz Rio Blanco project and asked the Government to respect their decision. The census was over 17,000 people in the districts of Ayabaca, Pacaipampa, and Carmen de la Frontera in Piura, they voted overwhelmingly September 16, 2007, to reject investment in the nearby Majaz copper mine of the Rio Blanco project. July 28, 2011 Monterrico Metals Plc., a British company that owns Ro Blanco Copper S.A., previously known as Minera Majaz S.A., agreed to compensate 32 farmers tortured at the mining camp and the relatives of a farmer who died, both of which occurred between August 1 and 3, 2005. The company agreed to compensate the farmers so that the plaintiffs would put an end to the lawsuit filed in June 2009 with the British High Court against Monterrico Metals Plc., in its capacity as parent company of Rio Blanco Copper S.A. In 2012, a new lawsuit against the Peruvian Police for torture against peasants in the same 2005 case, has started. |
| Do you consider this as a success? | Yes |
| Why? Explain briefly. | In 2012, Rio Blanco S.A. company was trying to start exploitation, while the Frente por el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Frontera Norte del Per FDSFNP, of municipalities, districts, communities and Rondas Campesinas and other organizations of the provinces of Huancabamba and Ayabaca (Piura) and provinces of San Ignacio and Jaen (Cajamarca)opposed the project. The Monterrico company was brought to court in London for tortures to local peasant, and had to pay for damages. A successful local referendum against the project took place. |
Sources and Materials
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Meta Information
| Contributor | Lucie Greyl & Joan Martinez Alier |
| Last update | 30/12/2015 |
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