Many Peruvians associate mining projects with large scale environmental damage, creating major challenges for mining firms operating in the country

By Daisy Johnson

Last week, on 18 April 2012, Peru’s government released a keenly anticipated independent audit of the original environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the controversial Minas Conga project in Peru’s northern region of Cajamarca, a joint venture of US-based Newmont Mining Corporation and Peruvian partner Buenaventura.

This found that ‘substantive improvements’ were required from these mining organisations before work at the mine could continue, particularly with regard to water management.

Peru’s government hoped that this independent audit of the EIA and its subsequent recommendations would help to quell continuing opposition to the project from local communities. At present, however, it seems that these actions have done little to allay the concerns of local communities regarding the mine’s impact. (more…)