Andina

U.S. donates equipment for Peru's fight against illegal mining

12:43 | Tambopata (Madre de Dios region), May. 20.

U.S. Ambassador to Peru Krishna R. Urs on Friday handed to Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra a donation —worth almost US$200,000 in equipment— destined for the National Police (PNP) to support Mercury Operation, which is aimed at fighting illegal mining in rainforest Madre de Dios region's La Pampa area.

The equipment donated by the U.S. Government —through the Lima-based U.S. Embassy's Anti-Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division— is composed of 10 tents, 20 air-conditioning systems, 8 power generators, 4 vessels, 4 GPS devices, 50 flashlights, anti-poison kit, 50 sleeping bags, and mosquito nets. 

This donation is part of the assistance —amounting to around US$50 million— provided by the United States to Peru, within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2017 to support the South American nation in the fight against criminal organizations and the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining

The big challenges of this agreement are reducing mercury emissions, preventing and punishing illegal mining in protected areas, as well as promoting legal opportunities and activities for economic development. 

Likewise, Ambassador Urs pointed out illegal mining —mainly of gold— has resulted in the loss of over 9,000 ha of Amazon forests in the Inca nation in 2018, and has created other illegal activities —controlled by organized crime groups— such as human trafficking, forced child labor, and chemical inputs trafficking. 

"Operation Mercury against illegal mining and related crimes in La Pampa is a clear example of the Peruvian Government's commitment to protecting the Amazon jungle from deforestation and fighting transnational organized crime," the U.S. diplomat expressed. 

"In recent years, the figures of illegal gold exports have surpassed those of cocaine," he added. 

(END) NDP/DTK/MVB

Published: 5/20/2019