Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador del Solar on Monday urged Islay Province
, adding the Government will keep an eye on the Valle del Tambo situation, as local authorities have expressed their disagreement with the Tia Maria mining project.
"All complaints are reasonable. When there is a complaint, we must listen," he said.
Likewise, Del Solar indicated he is aware the State —which had been absent for years— created distrust. However, the cabinet chief pointed out governmental authorities currently undertake efforts aimed at reverting this situation.
When asked about the comments of Arequipa Region Governor Elmer Caceres —who said there will be no talks unless
the construction permit is annulled— the Prime Minister stated this type of declarations —like an ultimatum— leads nowhere.
Furthermore, he mentioned that
dialogue had been planned before giving the authorization to Southern Peru Copper Corporation.
Nevertheless, the official informed Arequipa region authorities had said they did not want any kind of dialogue.
"It (the permit) is an administrative process that was granted to the company, which made an announcement in order to call for calmness," Del Solar said.
Tia Maria
However, Executive Branch spokespersons warned that —even though the license has been issued— this does not mean the mining company can begin operations. It needs to earn —
through dialogue— a social license first.
For its part, the
mining company committed itself not to start operations before setting up a dialogue space to resolve social concerns.