Anti-mine protesters in Peru clash with police, one dead

Global Business

Peru anti mine protesters clash with police left one man dead on Tuesday. Farmers, anti mining activists and politicians have been demonstrating for 44 days to stop a $1.4 billion copper mine project in southwestern Peru. Farmers say new mine’s water usage and pollution will hurt their water supply and damage their crops. CCTV America’s Dan Collyns filed this report from Lima, Peru.

Highlights: 

  • Southern Copper Corporation is planning the $1.4 billion Tia Maria mine, which has the potential to add 120,000 tons of copper to the company’s annual supply. But opposition has stalled the project three times since 2011.
  •  Existing and planned copper mines make up three quarters of Peru’s mining portfolio. However, in recent years conflicts, like this one, have left several protesters dead and have held up billions of dollars in investments.
  • Protesters say they fear the project will pollute the surrounding agricultural valleys. In response, the company has reworked its mine project several times and says it will use desalinated water from the ocean to help ease pressure on local water supplies.