The Environmental Evaluation and Supervision Agency (OEFA), according to the resolution No. 00144-2023-OEFA/DSEM and No. 00142-2023-OEFA/DSEM, issued a series of administrative measures to the Antapaccay mining company because its operations would be affecting the health of the residents of Espinar (Cusco) and damaging the ecosystem. The provisions were issued on August 16 and 21 of this year, according to CooperAcción and Oxfam Perú.
In the first resolution, as a preventive measure, the company is urged to iimplement waterproofed hydraulic structures for the management of contact waters coming from the side slopes of Dump 23, in order to capture and divert said water to pools 1 and 2. The objective is to prevent the impact on the quality of groundwater and surface water (Surachaqui stream).
While in the second it is requested temporarily paralyze blasting activities in the South Tajo, until the optimization of blasting parameters is implemented, in order to control the emission of particulate matter. It asks to optimize these parameters considering the load factor, vibrations, rock granulometry, shock wave and blasting schedules, among other provisions.
Pollution in air and water
CooperAcción and Oxfam Peru recently presented the report ‘Glencore in Peru: the case of Antapaccay and an analysis of compliance with international standards on due diligence in human rights‘. This study analyzes the OEFA documents—report No. 0438-2022-OEFA/DEAM-STEC (OEFA, 2022) and No. 00064-2023-OEFA/DEAM-STEC)— on air quality, which confirm that emissions of PM10 particulate matter, coming from the mine’s activities, repeatedly exceeded the permitted environmental quality standards, highlighting the significant risks to the health of people of tpray communities in the Espinar region, who are exposed to alarming levels of heavy metals.
About, Maia Campbell coordinator of the Technical Mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Peru, indicated the need for companies that carry out extractive projects to ensure that their activities respect international human rights standards on the matter, including due diligence.
“Although States are ultimately responsible for ensuring respect for human rights, various regulatory and self-regulatory frameworks that govern corporate responsibility currently reflect a very widespread interpretation of the functions that companies can play, both in violating human rights with negative impacts, as well as in their compliance,” Campbell highlighted.
For its part, Miguel Levanor, Program and Alliances coordinator Oxfam in Perupointed out that the purpose of the investigation is to open spaces for dialogue with European authorities, financiers of the Glencore company, among other actors, and that it will involve participation in a dialogue route through seven countries: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Switzerland, to seek a response to the report’s results.
To its turn, Elsa Mermapresident of the Association of Women Defenders of the K’ana Territory and Culture, of Espinarsaid that they have been publicly denouncing the delicate situation they are experiencing, which seriously affects their livestock and agricultural work, as well as the health of their families.
“The presence of the mining company is a very big problem for us, and they are moving forward. Pollution is stronger, our health is seriously affected. There are groups and associations, but the communities are totally abandoned. Our animals are dying. With what capital are we going to support the family? If the air, water and land are polluted, where are we going to go? It is not easy to go somewhere else,” Merma warned.
Coroccohuayco Project
On the other hand, the joint report of CooperAcción and Oxfam Peru highlights that during the land acquisition process for the Coroccohuayco projectGlencore has shown a lack of transparency and contradictions regarding the extent of land needed for the company.
Ana Leyva, deputy director of CooperAcción pointed out that “in the Modification of Environmental Impact Studies (MEIA), the company declared that it needed to acquire 6% of the territory of the Pacopata community, and in the negotiation it was more than 80%, which would put at risk his existence”.
Company needs more than 80% of the territory of Pacopata. Photo: CooperAcción
Source: Larepublica
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