The Minister of Energy and Mines, Eduardo González, pointed out that in the short term the blockade of the section of the mining corridor in Chumbivilcas (Cusco), which was complied with approximately a month ago by some communities in their conflict with MMG Las Bambas.
“The communities were going to close negotiations, but they had an impasse with the company. We have to dialogue possibly this weekend the impasses can be closed and the tracks free ”, pointed to a local media.
It is worth mentioning that Las Bambas will suspend the production of its copper mine located in Challhuahuacho (Apurímac) from this Saturday, December 18, due to the restrictions of the population, which awaits improvements in its contractual relations.
“If Saturday is released, they start operating again. They need you to free the roads. We are a new Government and we have to start a dialogue with both parties: the communities and the company ”, he limited.
In addition, Gonzalez Toro He assured that MMG Las Bambas has pending to present a schedule of proposals for the next five years, which they still have not submitted despite committing to do so.
“At this time, they are the intransigents, they did not pass schedules, there you can see if they really do intend to do things well,” he said.
State of emergency is not a priority
The first Mirtha Vasquez He announced that the Government is evaluating the eviction of the protesters in said section of the mining corridor because “there is a right to protect”, regarding the immobilized workers inside the mining company.
“There are several options to evaluate. We cannot allow certain rights to be violated, we will have to proceed to evaluate an eviction with the Ministry of the Interior ”, he told the international media.
Vásquez Chuquilín pointed out that the last option handled by Pedro Castillo’s administration is to decree a state of emergency in that area, unlike what was proposed by previous governments, where the first response was to “prosecute the protest and criminalize the protesters.” .
In that sense, he noted that they seek “a conflict management policy that does not make mistakes from other opportunities (because) this is a government that wants to listen to the demands of the population.”
This newspaper learned that there is the will of the communities to lift the blockade for the end of the year festivities.
Impacts of the mining stoppage
According to Carlos Castro, manager of Corporate Affairs and Business Development of Minera Las Bambas, for each day without operating, Apurímac will stop receiving S / 1.2 million in royalties and the Treasury up to S / 4 million per day for concept Income Tax. “They are S / 5.2 million a day less due to the stoppage of operations and millions of people affected,” he said at a press conference.
Las Bambas currently employs 8,000 workers between payroll and contractors: 28% are from Apurimac and 21% from Cusco. More than 75,000 families would be affected by the suspension of activities.
Reactions
Mirtha Vásquez, president of the Council of Ministers
“We are concerned about the situation of the workers inside the mining company because there is a right to protect (…) we will have to proceed to evaluate an eviction with the Ministry of Interior”.
Eduardo González, Minister of Energy and Mines
“We have to dialogue. Possibly this weekend the impasses can be closed and the roads freed (…) If it is released on Saturday, they (MMG Las Bambas) will start operating again ”.
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