Las Bambas: communities accept dialogue, but do not want the mining company to operate at 100%

In a recent document sent to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), by the community presidents of: Huancuire, Fuerabamba, Chuicuni, Pumamarca, Choaquere and Chila, in Cotabambas (Apurímac), the latter agreed to set up a dialogue table , as proposed by the PCM in a last letter signed to the community members on the previous May 27.

According to the response letter sent by the residents, who are settled on the Las Bambas land, they have held various meetings, coming to the conclusion of accepting a space for dialogue among the communities, representatives of Las Bambas and the Peruvian State.

Regarding the decision, from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) welcomed the willingness of the communities to accept the proposal of the Executive to set up meetings aimed at resolving disputes with the mining company MMG Las Bambas.

“The Minem, as the governing body of mining activity in Peru, ratifies that only with clear rules, subject to the current regulatory framework, the sustainability of operations at the national level will be maintained and a climate of social peace favorable to communities and future investments will be built”they pointed out from said portfolio.

THEY PUT CONDITIONS.

At the same time as accepting the dialogue, the community members of Apurímac They pointed out that they reject the mining company starting to operate its facilities at 100%since they would consider that as a ‘provocation’.

“(…) All the communities agree that there are no conditions or guarantees if MMG Las Bambas intends to start operations at 100%, this position is maintained by our communities without prejudice to the fact that the mining company has been carrying out operations in its plant, what is presented as an open provocation”, refers verbatim to the letter of the comuneros.

The protesters also They rejected the extension of the state of emergency decreed by the State, demanding that it be withdrawn, assuring that it is an unconstitutional measure.

In the meantime the meetings between community members of Cotabambas continue and are preparing to make a live broadcast to account for their new orders.