Brutal deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon [Featured]

Forests are converted into deserts due to the advance of informal mining that illegally extracts gold. Regular buying and selling of mercury is demanded by locals, who use it for the extraction of the precious metal.

November 17, 2009 | Nature, News

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Miguel Grau and the Battle of Angamos

Known as the Gentleman of the Seas, Admiral Miguel Grau is remembered by friends and enemies alike as not only a great tactician in naval warfare, but also for his chivalry, the like of which had not been seen before or since. He died in combat defending Peru against invading aggressors at the Battle of Angamos on the 8th of October 1879, and is remembered on this day each year with a public holiday.

October 8, 2009 | Beyond Peru, Modern Peru

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Civil war threatens to break out in the Andean region of Puno

Civil war threatens to break out between two districts in rural Puno after the recent deaths of 1o people and many more injured in the community of Chacayaje in the district of Ituata.

October 6, 2009 | News

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Application submitted to destroy ancient Chan Chan ruins

It almost defies belief that a mining company would summit an application to mine for iron ore in the ruins of the capital of the once powerful Chimu kingdom. The sprawling archaeological zone of Chan Chan is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest adobe constructions on earth.

Thankfully, Peru’s geological authority in charge of granting permission (INGEMMET) has no plans to approve this particular application.

June 28, 2009 | Archaeology, News

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Decontamination of Rimac River to cost more than $100 million

The Peruvian Times, read here, is reporting that a cleanup of the polluted Rímac river would cost upwards of $100 dollars and take 5 years.

A thorough and complete cleanup of Peru’s heavily polluted Rimac River could potentially cost more than $100 million and take up to five years, said Chaclacayo mayor and President of the Rimac River Mayors’ Association, Alfredo Valcárcel Cahen.

April 16, 2009 | News

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Peru to move a city – Cerro de Pasco picks up and leaves

Time to update those maps of Peru’s Andean Pasco region, because the regional capital Cerro de Pasco is set to move 35km down the road. High levels of pollution are blamed.

After intense and at times colourful debate, the population of Cerro del Pasco and its authorities have approved the immediate relocation of their city. Although not all entirely happy, residents have accepted the decision.

December 4, 2008 | News

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Yanacocha mine in Cajamarca

While I was staying up in Cajamarca, located in Peru’s northern Andean mountains, I heard the word Yanacocha, a word that popped out in conversations from time to time. It’s not a Spanish word, but it has a playful sound and for some reason it seemed rather important to everyone in Cajamarca. Well, as it turns out, they were talking about the Minera Yanacocha (Yanacocha Mine), which is not only important to the folks of Cajamarca. Minera Yanacocha just happens to be the largest gold mine in South America!

January 31, 2008 | Commentary/Opinion

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