Humala talked about the increasing of water reserves by four fold, the setting up of a social fund and the creation of 10,000 direct jobs. He also talked about finding answers to the questions that have been posed, so he requested an international experts’ study.

That, according to Humala, enabled to improve the conditions for the project and also served as input for the government to guarantee water quality in Cajamarca is preserved and that the company will comply with the environmental and social demands.

“This could mean a before and after in the way of doing mining without accepting the arrogance of some corporations”, said Humala.

The most critical organizations of Conga project were not satisfied with the official announcements, to the point that the most representative organizations of Cajamarca gave the government an ultimatum until May 31 to change its position or they would begin a general strike, Prensa Latina reported.

The installation of the mine is also opposed by the president of the regional government of Cajamarca, Gregorio Santos, who remembers that Yanacocha has violated the local peoples rights for 18 years.

“The residents do not believe in the company. The peasants do not believe a word they are saying”, said Santos in a report published by ALER news agency. They also published declarations of Wilfredo Saavedra, leader of the Frente Cajamarca, who insisted in the slogan against the mining project: “Conga no va” after Humala’s announcement.

Photo: Prensa Latina