INSIGHTS: Mining Perus Andean Forests Puts Unique Species, Ecosystem at Risk
Posted by News Editor in Land Use on April 6, 2017 8:56 pm
Peru
Highland lake above Tapal Alto. This pristine
area is jeopardized by mining concessions.
(Photo © A. Zegarra)
By Craig C. Downer
MINDEN, Nevada, February 6, 2006 (ENS) – Though interspersed with sobering dangers, my trip to northwestern Peru in October and November 2005 has nonetheless proven to be enlightening. Now I realize just how urgent it is to change humanity’s reigning values and lifestyles in order to save the natural forest and paramo still occurring here. I realize that every support must be given to the extensive grassroots movement that aims to do this.
Between 600,000 and 800,000 hectares in the mountains and valleys of Piura and Cajamarca states have recently been given over to companies as mining concessions by Peru’s national government. The biggest concession is to the London-based Monterrico Metals plc, whose Peruvian company is Majaz.
As president of the Andean Tapir Fund, I am especially concerned because Monterrico Metals-Majaz’ main project, known as Rio Blanco, is located on extremely steep and erodible slopes. It threatens the very heart of the habitat for Peru’s last remaining Andean tapirs, Tapirus pinchaque, also called mountain tapirs, one of the world’s most endangered large mammals.
Massive mining projects are planned in and around the Cerro Negro mountain area. Here, tens of thousands of hectares of virgin, or near virgin, cloud forest and treeless plateaus called paramos provide a last refuge for this woolly and nimble tapir as well as many other endemic rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
More:
http://ens-newswire.com/2017/04/06/insights-mining-perus-andean-forests-puts-unique-species-ecosystem-at-risk/
Environment & Energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127109548
