In Cusco and Apurímac, regions of the Peruvian Andes where the route known as the mining corridor is located, two of the richest copper projects in the country are based: Las Bambas and Antapaccay. Much has been said about the progress that mining represents, however, complaints of damage to the environment –due to pollution generated by dust from metal transport trucks and dumping of mine tailings into rivers– as well as health problems in these areas remain unresolved.
This series was carried out in October 2022 to understand the affectations from the point of view of the neighboring peasant communities to the mining projects. People who make their livelihood in livestock and agriculture say: “Our products are no longer normal. When we take them to the market people don’t buy our potatoes and meat. They tell us that our products are contaminated. How are we going to live!”
A resident of Espinar overlooks the Antapaccay copper mine from beyond its perimeter Peru
Idelfonsa Achire, a livestock farmer and member of the Huisa community in Espinar, Peru. Peru
View of the peasant community of Huancuire, in Apurímac. The community is close to the expansion of the Las Bambas project, operated by the Chinese company MMG Limited. Peru
Two women members of the Chicñahui peasant community located in the province of Cotabambas, prepare food with firewood. Many of these communities do not have basic services such as water, electricity or gas. Peru
The waters of some rivers in Espinar look dark due to the presence of metals. Nearby communities have denounced the spillage of mine tailings in the area. Peru
The community members of Chicñahui denounce the death of their livestock due to the contaminated water and pasture they consume. Peru
Every day 125 trucks carrying metal extracted from mining operations pass through the mining corridor to the port of Matarani in Arequipa region. Road building to service mining projects has been a source of conflict between communities and companies. Peru
In the Huisa community in Espinar, a woman returns from feeding her cattle on the land near the mining project. Peru
A resident of Espinar overlooks the Antapaccay copper mine from beyond its perimeter Peru
Idelfonsa Achire, a livestock farmer and member of the Huisa community in Espinar, Peru. Peru
View of the peasant community of Huancuire, in Apurímac. The community is close to the expansion of the Las Bambas project, operated by the Chinese company MMG Limited. Peru
Two women members of the Chicñahui peasant community located in the province of Cotabambas, prepare food with firewood. Many of these communities do not have basic services such as water, electricity or gas. Peru
The waters of some rivers in Espinar look dark due to the presence of metals. Nearby communities have denounced the spillage of mine tailings in the area. Peru
The community members of Chicñahui denounce the death of their livestock due to the contaminated water and pasture they consume. Peru
Every day 125 trucks carrying metal extracted from mining operations pass through the mining corridor to the port of Matarani in Arequipa region. Road building to service mining projects has been a source of conflict between communities and companies. Peru
In the Huisa community in Espinar, a woman returns from feeding her cattle on the land near the mining project. Peru
Leslie Moreno Custodio
Peruvian photographer, Peruvian reporter, storyteller, Peru, photojournalist