Event Listing
LASNET & Forest conservation victoria are calling for support for the release and dropping of charges against Indigenous land defenders in Cotabamba (Peru) for protesting against MMG’s copper mine on their Indigenous lands. MMG are also pursuing crippling fines of over US$85,000 in ‘compensation’ from the defenders.
Please join a solidarity action at the MMG HQ in Naarm
WHEN: THIS Thursday April 10 4pm-5.30pm
WHERE: MMG HQ 24/28 Freshwater Pl, Southbank
More info:
- MMG’s Las Bambas mining project is the largest copper mining operation in Peru. Its development has caused serious social and environmental impacts to affected communities.
- In September 2015, communities protesting breaches by the company were violently repressed by the Peruvian National Police (PNP), which has a private security agreement with Las Bambas.
- This repression resulted in the deaths of four community members in 2015 and 2016. Company executives and PNP agents involved in the violent repression that left four community members dead have not been prosecuted.
- For ten years, Minera Las Bambas S.A.C. has pursued criminal proceedings against more than 30 community leaders from Cotabambas, who legitimately protested in 2015 against the social and environmental impacts caused by the mining project.
- 11 Indigenous environmental leaders and land defenders from the province of Cotabambas are facing sentences of up to nine years in prison. The sentence was handed down last year, and now the defenders are in court appealing the decision and the trial will be running for the next 6 weeks.
- The Peruvian government and MMG are trying to make an example of these brave land defenders, who have risked their lives to oppose this disastrous mining project.