The Canadian Company, Vena Resources, has just discovered gold at its Azulcocha
mine in Peru. Vena Resources also is mining uranium in Puno, near the border
with Bolivia.

The Azulcocha mine is located in the peasant community of Shicuy, which depends
on the Cunas River. In other gold mines in Peru, mercury and cyanide has been
used in the extraction of gold ore. The Minister of Energy however has approved
an environmental study, but in the public hearing that took place prior to
approval, the Mayor of Chapuca points out, participation was restricted and the
inhabitants of Shicuy never consulted.

At the Yanococha mine, partially owned by Newmont Mining, the people near the
mine have blocked the trucks going in and out of the mine for over a week. The
80 trailers at the mine cannot move. They are demanding more compensation for
the mercury poisoning that took place at the mine in 2000 which led to several
deaths.
E. Gilman