¿Qué es el proyecto TÍA MARÍA? Desde Cero

Summary

The video discusses the ongoing Tía María project in southern Peru, which has been controversial since its inception in 2003. The project, proposed by Southern Peru Copper Corporation, aims to establish two open-pit mines and a processing plant in the desert of La Joya. It faces opposition from the local population, particularly in the Valley of Tambo, due to environmental concerns, including the use of local water resources and the impact on agriculture. The video also highlights protests, government responses, and the company's efforts to improve its image, with the ongoing debate about the project's potential benefits and risks.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Tía María project, a mining project in the Arequipa region of Peru, has been in the works since 2003 but has faced delays and significant opposition.
• 😀 The project involves two open-pit mines (Tía María and La Tapada) and a processing plant, planned for construction in the arid Joya desert.
• 😀 Southern Peru Copper Corporation (SPCC), the company behind the project, faced initial setbacks after presenting a flawed environmental impact study in 2009, with 138 critical observations from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
• 😀 One major issue with the project was the use of water from the Tambo River, which is crucial for the local agricultural community, sparking protests and distrust.
• 😀 In 2011, the project was suspended due to widespread protests, with a significant majority of locals (95%) opposed to its development, although a later survey in 2023 found 59% support for the project, raising questions about the validity of the poll.
• 😀 In 2013, a revised environmental impact study was presented, and the company promised not to use Tambo River water. Instead, they planned to desalinate seawater, though this would increase project costs and create additional environmental challenges.
• 😀 The government's approval of the revised study in 2013 led to renewed protests, forcing the military to intervene. This situation created further divisions and uncertainty among the public about the project's future.
• 😀 In 2019, the project was revived with the granting of construction licenses for the processing plant. This decision triggered further protests, with locals demanding the cancellation of the project.
• 😀 The main concerns for the local population include the environmental impact of open-pit mining, potential contamination of soil and water, and the risk of harming agricultural activities in the valley.
• 😀 Despite the controversies, Southern Peru has made efforts to gain local trust by providing health services, educational programs, and funding for community projects, but the conflict remains unresolved, with little credibility among the local population.
• 😀 A potential solution proposed by some, including Rosa María Palacios, was to hold a referendum to decide the project's fate. However, the Ombudsman's Office dismissed this idea, arguing it would oversimplify the issue and prevent a thorough debate.

Q & A

What is the Tía María mining project?

The Tía María project is a proposed mining initiative in Arequipa, Peru, aimed at extracting copper through two open-pit mines called Tía María and La Tapada. The project has been in development since 2003 but has faced significant opposition and legal hurdles.

What is the significance of the Tambo Valley in relation to the Tía María project?

The Tambo Valley is a vital agricultural region that relies on the Tambo River for irrigation. The Tía María project has raised concerns because the original plan involved using water from this river, which directly affects local farmers and their livelihoods.

Why was there widespread opposition to the Tía María project in the early years?

The primary reason for opposition was the plan to use water from the Tambo River for the mining operation. This was seen as a threat to local agriculture, as the river is essential for irrigation in the valley. Additionally, environmental concerns regarding dust, soil fertility, and mining waste were significant factors.

How did Southern Peru Copper Corporation respond to the criticism regarding the use of water from the Tambo River?

In response to the criticism, Southern Peru Copper Corporation revised its plan in 2013 to use desalinated seawater instead of river water. However, this alternative required building a desalination plant, which added to the project's costs and raised further environmental concerns.

What were the results of the 2009 environmental impact study of the Tía María project?

The 2009 environmental impact study presented by Southern Peru Copper Corporation was reviewed by the UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) and found to contain 138 errors. These issues included concerns over water use, which generated distrust among the local population and led to protests.

What role did the Peruvian government play in the Tía María project?

The Peruvian government played a significant role by overseeing the environmental impact studies and issuing licenses for the project. In 2019, after a period of suspension, the government reactivated the Tía María project by granting construction licenses for the infrastructure, despite ongoing protests from local communities.

What was the response of the local population to the government's decision to reactivate the project in 2019?

The local population, particularly in the Tambo Valley, responded with protests and calls for the cancellation of the project. The decision to reactivate the project was seen as an imposition, and local leaders demanded that the construction license be revoked.

What are the potential environmental risks associated with the Tía María project?

The environmental risks include the possibility of soil infertility due to mining waste, as well as air pollution from dust caused by the open-pit mining process. Additionally, the extraction process involves the use of lixiviation, which could further degrade the environment and affect local agricultural activities.

What alternative to a referendum did the Ombudsman’s office propose in response to the conflict over the Tía María project?

The Ombudsman’s office rejected the idea of a referendum, arguing that it would oversimplify the issue and weaken the debate. They stated that referendums are typically used for judicial or constitutional reforms, not for public economic or private ventures like the Tía María mining project.

What is the role of Southern Peru Copper Corporation in the local community, aside from the Tía María project?

Southern Peru Copper Corporation has been involved in various community support programs, such as providing medical services, educational initiatives, and agricultural workshops. These efforts include 12,000 medical treatments, education for over 1,000 schoolchildren, and investment in local infrastructure like a hospital.