El conflicto que enfrenta a la minera Las Bambas con tres comunidades aledañas | Cuarto Poder

América Noticias

25 Apr 202213:47

Summary

TLDRThe video script details escalating tensions between the mining company Las Bambas and local communities in Peru's Apurímac region. Residents of Chila demand the company fulfill commitments and pay a new price for their lands. The conflict has paralyzed Las Bambas, a major copper producer, causing significant economic losses. The script explores the complexities of land rights, community agreements, and the impact of mining on local livelihoods, highlighting the need for responsible mining practices and government intervention to resolve disputes.

Takeaways

😐 The tension in the region has reached a critical point, with the mining conflict between Las Bambas and three neighboring communities causing significant disruptions.
🤝 The conflict began when residents of the Chila community arrived at what was once their land, now part of the Las Bambas mining area, demanding the company fulfill certain commitments and pay a new price for their land.
🏭 Las Bambas is a major copper producer in the country, responsible for 1% of Peru's GDP, and the ongoing conflict has led to significant economic losses.
💼 The mining company, represented by a representative from DMG, has acknowledged that not all grievances have been addressed, and the community is not allowed to enter their territories until all claims are resolved.
🛣️ Access to the Las Bambas mine is complicated, with a long and winding road connecting the nearest city, Cusco, to the mining corridor.
🏠 The issue of land ownership is complex, with the mining company having acquired land from the community of Nueva Fuerabamba in exchange for compensation and relocation to new lands.
📜 There have been disagreements over the fulfillment of commitments made by Las Bambas to the communities, with some claiming that the company has not met all of its obligations.
💼 The mining company claims to have fulfilled 143 of 264 commitments, with 66 currently in progress and 55 to be executed in the coming years.
🏞️ The company has made significant investments in the community of Fuerabamba, amounting to 3,400 million soles since 2010, and has provided compensation for resettlement.
🗣️ The communities of Chila and Quaker, who have different claims from Fuerabamba, are demanding a new price for the land sold 12 years ago and have resorted to occupying their former lands to exert pressure.
🏛️ The government has intervened as a mediator in the conflict, but there are unresolved issues that are the responsibility of the state as well as the mine.

Q & A

What is the main conflict described in the script involving the mining company Las Bambas and the local communities?
-The main conflict involves Las Bambas mining company and three neighboring communities. The communities demand that the mining company fulfill certain commitments and pay a new price for their lands, which have been affected by the mining operations.
Why did the community of Chila arrive at what was once their land, now called Nueva Fuerabamba?
-The community of Chila arrived at Nueva Fuerabamba to demand that Las Bambas fulfill certain commitments and to negotiate a new price for their lands, which are now part of the mining operations.
What impact has the conflict had on Las Bambas' operations and the country's economy?
-The conflict has led to a halt in mining operations, resulting in daily losses of 5.2 million soles in royalties and income tax. Since 2016, Las Bambas has paid over 1500 million soles in royalties, equivalent to the cost of building 36 schools.
What is the significance of the Challhuahuacho community in the context of the conflict?
-Challhuahuacho is a small town that is central to the recent social conflict involving Las Bambas. It is the place where over a hundred residents of Nueva Fuerabamba arrived, demanding solutions to their issues, which has led to the occupation of the mining facilities.
What were the terms of the agreement between Las Bambas and the community of Fuerabamba 12 years ago?
-The agreement involved the cession of 4,700 hectares of Fuerabamba's territory to Las Bambas in exchange for 4,200 hectares distributed across five properties, including Chila and Echó a Querer. The company also made commitments to the community, such as creating a protected natural area and ensuring the community's needs were met.
What is the current status of the commitments made by Las Bambas to the Fuerabamba community?
-Las Bambas claims that out of 264 commitments, 143 have been fulfilled, 66 are in progress, and 55 are scheduled to be executed in the coming years. However, the community feels that some promises are still pending.
What is the community of Chila and Quaker's stance on the situation with Las Bambas?
-The communities of Chila and Quaker, who have their own distinct claims from those of Fuerabamba, invaded the mining facilities demanding a new price for their lands, which were sold 12 years ago.
What actions has the government taken to mediate the conflict between Las Bambas and the communities?
-The government has intervened as a mediator in the conflict, aiming to resolve the territorial issues and return the communities to their lands while ensuring the mining operations can continue.
What are the economic implications of the halted mining operations for the local communities and the country?
-The halt in mining operations has led to significant economic losses, not only for the company but also for the local communities and the country, as royalties and taxes are not being collected.
What is the community's perception of the reasentamiento (resettlement) process carried out by Las Bambas?
-Some community members feel that the resettlement process has not been entirely fair or satisfactory, with some claiming that they have not received the promised land or that the new settlement has deficiencies.
How does the script describe the relationship between the mining company and the local communities regarding the mining activities?
-The script describes a complex relationship marked by conflict and negotiation. While some community members are against the mining activities due to unfulfilled promises, others are in favor of responsible mining that benefits the community.

Outlines

00:00

😐 Tension Over Mining Rights in Apurímac

The script describes escalating tensions in Apurímac, where the mining company Las Bambas faces conflict with three neighboring communities. The issue began when residents of the Chila community arrived at what was once their land, now part of the mining operation, demanding the company fulfill certain commitments and pay a new price for their land. The situation has led to a standstill in mining operations, with the company recognizing some unfulfilled tasks and the government stepping in to mediate. The script also touches on the economic impact of the mining halt, with daily losses in royalties and taxes, and the company's payments to date, which equate to substantial investments in infrastructure.

05:01

🤔 Unresolved Land Disputes and Community Protests

This paragraph delves into the land disputes and community protests against the Las Bambas mining company. It details how the company has not fully complied with agreements made over a decade ago, leading to the occupation of mining facilities by community members demanding resolution. The narrative includes the establishment of a protest camp by the 'fuera van vinos' community, highlighting their desire for responsible mining practices and the fulfillment of past agreements. The company claims to have met many of the commitments, but the community argues that some promises remain unfulfilled, including land redistribution and economic incentives.

10:03

😠 Compensation Disputes and Government Intervention

The final paragraph discusses the compensation disputes between the mining company Las Bambas and the communities of Chile and Quaker, who demand a new price for their land sold 12 years ago. The communities have resorted to occupying their former lands to exert pressure. The government has intervened as a mediator, but the script suggests that the state has a role to play beyond what has been done so far. It also mentions the company's investments in the community and the compensation received by community members, while highlighting the perceived shortcomings in the re-settlement process and the ongoing conflict over land and resources.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Apurímac

Apurímac is a region in Peru that is central to the conflict described in the video. It is the setting for the tension between the mining company and the local communities. The script mentions 'Apurímac' as the place where the mining conflict was reaching a critical point, indicating its importance to the narrative.

💡Las Bambas

Las Bambas is the name of the mining company involved in the conflict with local communities. It is depicted as a significant economic contributor to Peru's GDP but also as a source of controversy due to its interactions with the communities. The script refers to it as 'la minera' and discusses its role in the ongoing dispute.

💡Territorial disputes

Territorial disputes are a central theme in the video, illustrating the conflict between the mining company and the communities over land rights. The script describes how the communities of Chila and Quaker have different claims to the land than those of 'Fuera de Bambas,' highlighting the complexity of the issue.

💡Compensation

Compensation is a key concept in the video, referring to the financial or land-based reparation offered to the communities in exchange for the mining rights. The script mentions the compensation received by the 'Fuera de Bambas' community and the differing amounts received by other communities, indicating dissatisfaction and a potential source of conflict.

💡Relocation

Relocation is a significant aspect of the video's theme, as it discusses the displacement of communities due to mining activities. The script refers to the 'reubicación' of the 'Fuera de Bambas' community and the agreements made with the mining company, which are part of the broader conflict.

💡Copper mining

Copper mining is the economic activity at the heart of the conflict. The script mentions that the discovery of copper in the area led to the transfer of land from the 'Fuera de Bambas' community to the mining company, which is a pivotal point in the narrative.

💡Protests

Protests are a form of resistance depicted in the video, where community members use traditional methods to voice their grievances. The script describes the establishment of a protest system by the 'Fuera de Bambas' community, emphasizing their determination to seek resolution.

💡Agreements

Agreements in the video refer to the contracts and understandings made between the mining company and the communities. The script mentions the signing of agreements in 2009 and the fulfillment of these commitments, which is a contentious point in the conflict.

💡Economic impact

The economic impact of the mining conflict is highlighted in the video, with the script discussing the daily loss of revenue due to the halted operations of Las Bambas. It underscores the broader implications of the dispute on the country's economy.

💡Indigenous rights

Indigenous rights are a fundamental aspect of the video's theme, focusing on the rights of the local communities to their land and resources. The script touches on the historical and ongoing struggle of indigenous communities in the face of development projects.

💡Government intervention

Government intervention is portrayed as a mediatory role in the video, attempting to resolve the conflict between the mining company and the communities. The script mentions the government's efforts to facilitate agreements and the challenges it faces in addressing the grievances of all parties involved.

Highlights

Tension escalates in the heart of the region as Apurímac reaches a critical point due to the conflict between the Las Bambas mining company and three neighboring communities.

The conflict stems from the community of Chila demanding the mining company fulfill certain commitments and pay a new price for their land.

The mining conflict puts pressure on Las Bambas, the country's fourth-largest copper producer, contributing 1% to Peru's GDP.

The mining company acknowledges not fulfilling some tasks and commitments with the communities, leading to ongoing disputes.

The paralyzed mining operations cause daily losses of 5.2 million soles in royalties and income tax for the country.

Since 2016, Las Bambas has paid over 1.5 billion soles in royalties, equivalent to building 36 schools.

The complex issue of reaching the important mining project is complicated by the challenging geography and social conflicts.

The small town of Challhuahuacho is at the center of the recent social conflict involving Las Bambas mining company.

Over 100 residents of Nueva Fuerabamba invaded the mining facilities, demanding resolution of their distinct claims from those of Fuerabamba.

The land transfer agreement 12 years ago involved 4,700 hectares ceded by Fuerabamba in exchange for compensation and land redistribution.

The mining company claims all land titles are legally cleared and registered, but the former landowners have decided to reclaim their land.

The protesters demand that the mining company fulfill its commitments and not leave the facilities until their issues are resolved.

The halted mining operations have stopped mineral extraction since April 20, causing further losses and delays.

The protesters have set up a traditional protest system in the area, living in camps and guarding their old borders.

The 2009 agreement between the mining company and Fuerabamba formalized the community's relocation with various promises.

13 years later, a percentage of the promises remain unfulfilled, with the company stating 143 of 264 commitments have been met and others are in progress.

The company is willing to sit at a table with the community to verify the status of all commitments and address any issues.

The residents of Chile and K'ueker communities demand the mining company pay a new price for the 273 hectares sold 12 years ago.

The government has intervened as a mediator in the conflict, but many issues are more the state's responsibility than the mine's.

Conciliation meetings are scheduled in Chile and K'ueker to try to resolve the disputes and return Nueva Fuerabamba to the Fuerabamba community.

The situation reflects the challenges of balancing mining development with social, environmental, and economic responsibilities in Peru.