In 2010, the Centro Labor commissioned a study, “Quality Assessment of Water Resources in Pasco Province and the Health of the Population in Paragsha”, which revealed that of the children studied in Paragsha, 22 cases exceeded the maximum acceptable levels for metals such as lead, aluminium, cadmium, and copper, among others. The current situation of these children and their families is unknown. In addition, around 1200 homes were affected by the Raúl Rojas Open Cast Mine Extension Project - Plan L, and 753 homes were affected by the extension of the Pilar Mine. Similarly, no-one knows the whereabouts of these families or their current living conditions.

PRESS RELEASE No. 06 – 11 - ACCCPL/AC

REGIONAL COUNCIL DELAY APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE

On 9 March, during Ordinary Session No. 5 of the Regional Council for Pasco, it was agreed to steer the Department for Social Development and Legal Advice for Pasco (GOREPA) towards the “Draft Regional Ordinance: Regional register of displaced persons and those also affected by mining and other extraction activities” put before a full session of the council by Dimas Peña Armas, the Chairman of the Association of Tradespeople and Tenants of Cerro de Pasco Affected by Mining Expansion.

Furthermore, councillors welcomed, and met with approval, this proposal and the people’s initiative, adding that later both of GOREPA’s requests would be passed on to the leadership and organisations that presented and supported the draft regional ordinance, to have a clearer definition of the outcome of their technical legal opinion.

During his speech, Mr Dimas Peña stressed the need to have a record that would provide information on how many people were affected in terms of their health, homes and natural resources as a result of the mining and extraction companies. The proposal was draw up jointly in a coordinated effort with Pasco’s social organisations, the IDL (Legal Defence Institute) and the Centro Labor, for the purposes of offering direct assistance to those identified as being affected.

In 2010, the Centro Labor commissioned a study, “Quality Assessment of Water Resources in Pasco Province and the Health of the Population in Paragsha”, which revealed that of the children studied in Paragsha, 22 cases exceeded the maximum acceptable levels for metals such as lead, aluminium, cadmium, and copper, among others. The current situation of these children and their families is unknown. In addition, around 1200 homes were affected by the Raúl Rojas Open Cast Mine Extension Project - Plan L, and 753 homes were affected by the extension of the Pilar Mine. Similarly, no-one knows the whereabouts of these families or their current living conditions.

On a regional level, the deforestation of huge expanses of land, which the authorities have difficulty controlling, for example, as has happened in the Oxapampa Province, has been publically denounced. Similarly, mining projects in Daniel Carrion Province have also altered the water resources, and the Chaupihuaranga River has also been affected, as shown in the study carried out by the Grupo Andes in the first half of 2010. However, there is no information whatsoever on the numbers of people affected on a local or regional level.

We call on the Regional Council to sensitise themselves to the actual situation and the urgent task of establishing mechanisms of direct and immediate assistance for the peoples affected, and we urge the regional authorities to expedite the process to approve this Draft Regional Ordinance, which upholds the rights of children and adults in the region.

Please distribute.

Cerro de Pasco, 11 March, 2011.

Communications Section, Centro Labor