Peru: Police Operation Frees Area of Illegal Mining

The area occupied by the police is now called “La Pampa” or “The Praire” since few tress are left nowadays, which once was dense forest. This area was supposed to serve as a buffer zone for the national forest reserve of Tamboata. The La Pampa zone is now the largest illegal mining camp in the Madre de Dios region of Peru.
The last visit by authorities to the area was five months ago, but the attempt was not successful in eradicating mining in the area. Since then, thousands of miners have come back to the area to continue mining with heavy equipment and vehicles.
The police also found dozens of holes on the ground, dredges and mercury stockpiles. The illegal miners had also set up a mini town with clubs, bars, prostitution tents, hotels and even money exchange posts build out of plastic.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Peru-Police-Operation-Frees-Area-of-Illegal-Mining-20141112-0045.html