In an exclusive interview with Correo, the bishop of Huancavelica, Monsignor Carlos Alberto Salcedo Ojeda, expressed his concern about the possible conflict in Pukaqaqa and the alleged impact on the water consumed in the city.
What led you to adopt the fight against this mining company?
We are in favor of life, we defend life and water is important for life, anyone would do that and more as church people, the Pope tells us to take care of our common home, take care of water, take care of the environment, I one to this process of taking care of the water. We are not against mining, but we are against what threatens the life of the population, we must be clear about that, we must defend the health of our people.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE: Candidates from Huancavelica do not go to appointment due to mining Pukaqaqa
How do you evaluate that the Ministry of Energy and Mines has decided to continue this mining project?
They granted the Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) to the mining company and only they have to go to the MINEM, ask for the permit and they will get it for them, that is what is missing, until now they have not done it, they do not ask for it, there was a reaction in a legal manner, supported by the dangers that exist.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE: Iván Merino: “To resolve an issue, you must first have a precise diagnosis”
What is your opinion of this decision of a supposedly socialist government?
This project was approved more than two years ago, officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines tell us that they will only have to comply with the regulations, it is part of the process and the laws indicate it, the company and the State are in charge of deciding, and in part to the closest community, but they did not ask us, the most affected, they are not complying with social approval.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE: They ask to join the fight against water pollution in Huancavelica
What to do about this situation?
Continue raising awareness, continue supporting dialogue, inform our population so that they know the risks, we have Cerro de Pasco, an area where there is no water, you cannot live; This project is open pit. Where would we go? They would have to build a new plant that would be worth 250 million dollars, as some Emapa authority stated. Who is going to do it? they can do it, the company will not do it, will the State do it?
