Since 1992, when Newmont
began building the Yanacocha gold mine, most Cajamarquinos have learned
that mega-mining is incompatible with sustainable agriculture and
reliable, safe drinking water. According to the nonprofit Earthworks,
tests done by the mine and the Peruvian government of treated water
coming from the Yanacocha mine have shown levels of arsenic and mercury
that exceed World Health Organization standards.
Gianni Converso’s documentary Open Pit shows
Yanacocha discharging “treated” water not fit for human consumption,
laying off workers with elevated levels of mercury in the blood, and
intimidating anti-mining protesters by hiring and transporting Peruvian
National Police and allowing them to wear their government-issued
uniforms and carry their government-issued weapons while being paid by
Newmont to protect company property.
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