The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) referred to the feasibility of the Quellaveco copper project in the region Moquegua and the affectation of the waters of the Tambo river in the province of Islay, in the Arequipa region, after a journalistic report.
He pointed out that there is a commitment to set up a technical committee, which will evaluate, within a reasonable period of time and in accordance with the law, Directorial Resolution 0624-2022 of the National Water Authority (ANA), which allows the company to use 22 million cubic meters of water from the Titire and Vizcachas rivers, tributaries of the Tambo River that irrigate the crops of hundreds of producers in the valley of the same name in Arequipa.
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“With this decision, Midagri does not give in to public or private pressure from any of the positions regarding this project, but rather fulfills its role as governing body, on behalf of the government, in being an articulator between private investment and the caution of interests. producers, scrupulously promoting respect for the environment and non-pollution of any natural resource that harms agricultural activities”, he specified in a statement.
He added that they are aware of the economic repercussion that the entry into operation of this project has for the GDP and tax collection, that is why he asks private investment and civil society organizations for peace of mind, in addition, that they trust that a point of encounter in responsible exploitation and the continuity of agricultural development in the El Tambo valley.
“We believe that, for the sake of tranquility and social peace that the region needs, where conflicts have occurred before, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the effects of RD 0624-2022 until the technical table formulates its contributions and proposals are put forward. for the resolution of this dispute“, he pointed.
Midagri also mentioned that in parallel the Water Dispute Resolution Court, an autonomous body, will evaluate the appeal that the producers of the El Tambo valley have presented to the aforementioned resolution.
It should be noted that on Tuesday, October 4, authorities from the Arequipa region met with the head of Midagri, Patricia Ocampo, and Pedro Castillo’s chief of staff, Alberto Mendieta, precisely to address the problem unleashed as a result of the resolution of the National Water Authority (ANA), which granted the surface water license for the operations of the mining project.
The authorities expressed their disagreement over the granting of water use without consulting the farmers of Tambo or the province of Islay and it was agreed to give the Government a week to decide whether or not to suspend the water permits.
