The Yanococha gold mine, Latin America’s largest, has already consumed five mountains and looks set to destroy a sixth peak, Quilish, the source of much of Cajamarca’s drinking water.
In 2000, a Yanococha truck spilled 150 kilograms of mercury along a 20-kilometre stretch of mountain road. As a consequence, thousands of people were exposed to the highly toxic substance.
It was reported that many locals hastily recruited by Newmont to help with the clean up were not issued with appropriate safety equipment. Hundreds required hospitalisation, but the true extent of the contamination and its impact on future generations will probably never be known.
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