UPDATED ON:
Thursday, October 30, 2008
23:10 Mecca time, 20:10 GMT
 
News Americas
Peru mining law triggers protests

The prime minister had previously said no vote would be held in congress until protests stopped [EPA]

Thousands of angry protesters in Peru's Tacna province have blocked the region's main road after congress approved a bill that would redirect a portion of mining royalties to neighbouring Moquegua.

The protests on Thursday marked the third day of demonstrations in Tacna and Moquegua, which have been at odds over how millions of dollars of taxes from local mines should be distributed.

The law, which can still be amended ahead of a second round of voting, was provisionally passed on Thursday and reforms how mining royalties are split in provinces across the country.

Juvenal Ordonez, a congressional representative for Tacna, said: "They have tricked us. We are ready to fight."

The current system levies taxes based on how much earth is moved at a mine, while the new law would shift the focus on how much mineral wealth is produced.

Mining wealth

Alan Garcia, Peru's president, who has seen his approval numbers drop following allegations of corruption in congress and perceptions he has not done enough to address widespread poverty, backed the bill.

Yehude Simon, Peru's prime minister, had previously said congress would not hold a vote until protests were halted, but he appears to have backed down.

The law has been most controversial in the south of Peru, where most of the mines are run by Southern Copper, one of the world's largest mining companies.

Southern Copper operates the Cuajone mine and Ilo smelter in Moquegua and the Toquepala mine in Tacna.

Moquegua expects to get 20 per cent of the revenues from Southern Copper this year, while 80 per cent is set to go to Tacna.

Politicians in both provinces say they need the funds to develop basic services.

About 40 per cent of Peruvians live in poverty and have seen little relief despite seven years of economic growth in the country, largely driven by booming mining exports.

 Source: Agencies
 
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