[olympiaworkers] Six killed in Peru miners strike clashes

Libcom.org Apr 12 2010

Six people were killed on April 5 when police attacked a roadblock set up
by miners on a wildcat strike.

Officials claimed that the workers were protesting at the government's
push to impose environmental controls on them, although one observer
commented that it was more likely that the government was motivated by
financial interests than saving the planet.

Reuters reported that violence broke out on Sunday in the southern
province of Arequipa, injuring 20 protesters and nine police near Chala,
600km (372 miles) south of the capital, Lima.

Two of the dead were bystanders, including a taxi driver struck by a stray
bullet and a woman who suffered a heart attack.

Peru miners lift roadblock for talks after clashes

April 7, 2010

LIMA, Peru (AP)– Independent miners agreed Wednesday to end road blockades
that led to clashes with police and the deaths of six miners, responding
to a government promise to form a joint commission to study the dispute,
an official said.

Emerging from three hours of talks between miner leaders and officials,
Cabinet Chief Javier Velasquez said the new panel will include miners in
its effort to develop a national plan for regularizing wildcat mining.

The clashes began after the government moved to impose rules on
unregulated gold mining that it says is ruining the environment in Peru's
Amazon jungle.

Miners began the highway blockade Sunday, stranding more than 1,000
vehicles in southeastern Peru. Attempts by police to force the protesters
off the road sparked clashes in which six miners were shot to death.

Velasquez said the formation of the comission will ensure that miners will
be heard.

"This strengthens democracy. There are no winners or losers," he said.