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“The mining company and the Peruvian
government irresponsibly claim that
agriculture and mining can harmoniously
coexist, but we know that isn’t so. The
very nature of mining conflicts with the
natural balance of the ecosystem. In order
to get to the minerals, one must go under
the subsoil, thereby destroying and
disrupting everything that lies on the
surface, including the forest, the river,
the landscape, the wildlife, not to mention
people’s homes, farms, livelihoods and
heritage. The biodiversity of the area,
ranging from the microorganisms to
ourselves, will without a doubt be in great
danger.” Ulises García, San Lorenzo Valley
farmer and activist.
2003 ends with victory!
Centromin Peru, the government agency with
whom Manhattan has entered into an option
agreement in respect of the Tambogrande
concessions, has decided to terminate
Manhattan Minerals' concession to develop the
Tambogrande gold mine. After information was
presented to Centromin, they informed
Manhattan minerals that the option was
terminated as Manhattan had failed to meet
the financial requirements for the proposed
mine.
This is a victory for the residents of
Tambogrande, who in a community-initiated
referendum in June 2002 gave a resounding
thumbs down to the project, when an
astonishing 98% voted against the
proposal.
Thanks to a successful World Bank/USAID
irrigation and land distribution project, the
area produces succulent lemons, papayas and
mangos, and provides sustainable livelihoods
for some 20,000 farmers. The people of
Tambogrande can continue farming without the
threat of contamination of their water
supplies by mining activities hanging over
them.
Manhattan holds concessions on 53,700
hectares in Lancones and Papayo, which are
not affected by this ruling.
read more about the case and the
actions.
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