The Regional Energy and Mines Management of Arequipa, has the mission of supervising artisanal mines, such as Yanaquihua SAC, in whose operation 27 workers died suffocated by the smoke of a fire. However, he has no budget for this work. This was reported by the head of the agency, Yakir Rozas Manya, before the Regional Council, where he answered questions about management’s actions to prevent these accidents.
rozas explained that this budget is derived by the Supervisory Agency for Investment in Energy and Mining (Osinergmin) to the management and regional mining directorates, so that they exercise the supervisory role.
The game assigned to Arequipa will only be transferred in 10 to 15 days. The disbursement is received by the Regional Government of Arequipa, central office, which arranges the distribution. The Regional Environmental Authority (Weapon) also requests part of that budget. “They indicate that they are also competent in control matters,” revealed Rozas.
According to the official, the situation was worse in 2022. The item was 85,000 soles, but a good part of the fund was seized from the GORE coffers, leaving only 18,500 soles for inspection.
The manager added that inspections are planned based on the budget.
In the case of Yanaquihua SAC, he said that -before the accident- a visit was planned in June. The minimum required is that there be one inspection per year, although ideally there should be one per semester, Rozas said.
Some councilors questioned that they were not made aware of the lack of budget, so that they could put pressure on it in some way.
Counselor César Huamantuma pointed out that by not warning about the situation, there is already a responsibility of the Energy and Mines management.
On the possibility of generating economic resources through fines and collection of fees for procedures, Rozas indicated that only 40% stays in management, the rest goes to GORE, which then determines how to use said money.
Research advances
Regarding the investigations into the death of the miners, the minister pointed out that this Thursday the work of the team from the Regional Energy and Mines Management will culminate, who will then prepare a report.
Regarding the death of a miner (Octavio Llactahuamán) in September of last year in an accident in Yanaquihua SAC, he said that this is under investigation by the Public Ministry. He added that from the documentation that he reviewed on the case, there are no administrative sanctions against the mining company.
Source: Larepublica
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