Wampis call on Peruvian government to control illegal gold mining on river Santiago and give them one month to bring miners to justice

Villa Gonzalo: Wampis leaders issued a statement summarising the justification for their peaceful eviction of illegal gold miners from the Santiago river which took place on the 13 July. They highlight that the miners, who have all been identified, are not only causing severe ecological harms but are dividing the communities and creating internal conflict. They call on the Peruvian authorities to step up to the challenge and take the following effective steps to prevent further illegal mining and address the harms that have been caused:

• Conduct in situ field visits and sustained monitoring on the Pastacillo river;
• Ensure remediation and compensation for the 7.5 hectares of forest that have been destroyed and associated ecological damage;
• Expel the miners who are currently living in the municipality of la Poza, giving the authorities one calendar month until the end of August in order to comply;
• Confiscate the dredges and other machinery that the Wampis have decommissioned.