Changing the face of mining in Peru : the news is both good and bad for miners and mining communities

Abstract

Two projects in Peru, where mining is a major industry, illustrate the difficulties in enforcing environmental and health regulations— and in one case, show how the effective use of research can influence the policies of both business and government. Research derived from a case study on copper mining impacted the lenience of the Peruvian government, and due to a favourable policy context, forced changes in practices of the Southern Peru Copper Corporation (SPCC) water use and management. However, case study findings regarding Chronic Mountain Sickness did not affect policy.