SNMPE condemns violence in Espinar and invokes joint work to overcome crisis

By SNMPE

The National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy (SNMPE) expressed its resounding condemnation of the acts of violence that have occurred in recent hours in the Espinar province in the Cusco region, where a convoy of vehicles carrying minerals from the Las Bambas mining company was attacked by a mob of people who even set fire to two transport units.

“These unfortunate acts of violence that transgress the social peace that the country requires in these difficult times in which it is hit by the coronavirus pandemic, would be part of an escalation promoted for several years by anti-mining groups with the purpose of sabotaging development. of the mines located in the southern mining corridor,” warned the energy and mining association.

In this context, he expressed his concern that some local authorities are encouraging these violent protests instead of promoting investment and the development of their villages.

"The population of Espinar is being urged to demand the mining company Glencore-Antapaccay that operates in the province of Cusco to pay a “supposed universal bonus” of S/.1,000 to all the inhabitants of the area, when this is not part of the Framework Agreement that the company signed years ago with the authorities of the zone”, commented SNMPE.

He recalled that Glencore-Antapaccay annually transfers 3% of its net profits to the Framework Agreement to be used primarily for works and projects that seek to improve the quality of life of the population of Espinar; and it does not contemplate a direct delivery of money to each inhabitant, as the authorities claim. Furthermore, the company has been developing different initiatives during the health emergency for the benefit of the most vulnerable population in the area.

The union recalled that Espinar is the province of Cusco that benefits the most from the mining royalty and royalties, having received S/.68 million in transfers. In the last ten years it has received more than S/.458 million, of which barely 65% could invest, which, had they been correctly invested, would have made it possible to close the large social gaps that still persist in the province.

The SNMPE explained that the attack on the vehicles carrying ore from the Las Bambas mining company occurred in the Southern Road Corridor, one kilometer away from the city of Espinar, where the protesters ambushed, stoned and burned two units of transport.

"Peruvians cannot tolerate these barbaric acts that undermine the social peace that the country needs to overcome one of the worst crises in its republican life, for which reason it is necessary to enforce the rule of law and apply all the weight of the law against those who are responsible for the violence," said the energy and mining association.

We regret that the dialogue has been left aside – stressed the SNMPE – when pointing out that to overcome the serious economic contraction hit by the pandemic, the effort and joint work of all Peruvians without exception is required.

Lima, July 21, 2020.

PRESS OFFICE.

This is a machine translation of the original press release issued in Spanish.