Peru
Published by MAC on 2007-08-11Source: La Republica
PERU
Residents of Ayabaca March In Opposition to Majaz Operations
By Frank Garcia, Piura
11th August 2007
Farmers of the district of Pacaipampa, in Ayabaca (Piura) have mobilised against mining exploration being carried out by Minera Majaz at the Rio Blanco project. The comuneros demanded the protection of the páramos - high mountain forest wetlands which generate water for the rivers, for fear that they will be affected by the mining operations. They also urged the regional and central governments to respect the decisions taken by the communities in the popular consultation this coming September 16. In the referendum, the provinces of Ayabaca and Huancabamba will decide if they wish to base their development in mining or in agriculture.