Citizens called upon to declare their support of the local citizen’s opposition to mining exploration in the region of Piura, Peru. The region’s inhabitants oppose the planned contamination and destruction of this agricultural zone of ecological importance and fragility. Piura is one of the last virgin areas in a Peru targeted for exploitation by the world's largest mining transnationals.

This declaration was written by representatives of local citizen’s movements in Piura present in Québec, Canada during the month of November, to denounce the environmental destruction and the non-consultative nature of the mining industry in Peru.

Signatures will be collected over the upcoming weeks, until we have enough to hand over the petition to the appropriate authorities in Canada and Peru - accompanied by simultaneous media actions in both countries.

The text of the declaration can be read below, in English.

The declaration can be signed on line (see link below)

Note that the declaration posted online is in French. The English and Spanish versions are also available at:
www.ccdhal.koumbit.org/spip.php?article496

PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY !

________________________________________________________________

C. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada

C. Dr. Alan Garcia Perez
Constitutional President of Peru

C. Dr. Juan Valdivia Romero
Minister of Energy and Mines, Peru

C. Ing. Pablo Teodoro Dejar Ramirez
Regional Director of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Piura, Peru

C. Dr. Cesar Trelles Lara
President of the region of Piura, Peru

We, the undersigned, members of civil society in the province of Québec, Canada, reject and oppose the way in which mining transnationals Monterrico Metals PLC, Zijiin Mining Group LTD and Majaz are carrying out exploratory work in the Region of Piura, Peru. The Rio Blanco mining project, affecting the rural community of Yanta in the province of Ayavaca and the communities Carmen de la Frontera and Segunda y Cajas in the province of Huancabamba, has not been approved by said affected communities ; media reports confirm that opposition to the Rio Blanco project has already led to the loss of life and to the arrests of many community members. Mining transnationals Monterrico, Zijiin and Majaz must respect the will of the people, expressed by a resounding “NO�? to mining exploration in the region during the popular consultation of September 16th, 2007.

Likewise, we demand that the will of the people of the rural community of Pampalarga (in the district of Suyo, province of Ayavaca) be respected. As a result of their opposition to the exploratory activities of the mining companies San Miguelito, Señor Cautivo and Chanchan, all Peruvian subsidiaries of the Canadian mining transnational Plexmar Resources, and of VDG del Peru S.A.C of Lima, thirty-two community members have been victims of arrest warrants and are awaiting trial. According to allegations by members of the local population, the accused have been approached and persistently harassed and verbally threatened in order that they allow the continuation of exploratory studies ; each of the accused who cooperates has been offered the prospect of having her or his legal slate “wiped clean�?. The communities of Santa Rosa, Tomapampa de Suyo and others in the larger northern region of Peru are likewise affected by mining companies and their uncompromising intention to realize said mineral exploitation.

We proclaim our solidarity with these rural communities affected by exploratory activities on their territory, activities that are taking place without their consent. By neglecting to consult with the affected communities, Monterrico Metals, Plexmar Resources and all other companies associated with them are acting in direct violation of Article 15 of Convention No. 169 of the International Labour Organization (ILO), ratified by the Peruvian state, and of the Peruvian Environmental Regulation on Mining Exploration Activity. These legal decrees clearly state that communities must provide previous consent or authorization before any mineral exploration can take place on the surface of their lands. Monterrico Metals, Plexmar Resources and associated companies have not received the consent or authorization of any of the collectivities to be affected.

We proclaim our solidarity with the energetic and pacific struggle that said community members, leaders and mayors are carrying out in opposition to such exploratory studies. We believe that the law, both national and international, clearly recognizes and upholds the judicial and moral arguments of these Peruvian citizens. Their struggle is a just and humanitarian one ; a struggle in defense of the environment, health, life, water and the ancestral lands upon which they continue to live. For these reasons, we demand the respect of their human rights.

They are not alone. Their struggle is our struggle, even here in Canada.

**SIGN THIS DECLARATION (see link below)

To read more on opposition to mining in Piura, visit CDHAL’s website:
www.ccdhal.koumbit.org/spip.php?mot=33&mot
and
www.ccdhal.koumbit.org/spip.php?mot=26&mot