August 2005

“The study will permit us to find a concrete solution...”
(An Interview with the Archbishop of Huancayo)

The Archbishop of Huancayo, Monsignor Pedro Barreto Jimeno, is convinced that the study will allow us to deal with the mining contamination problem in the region.

Q.Who is financing this study?
A.For Peru, the study is free. Not one Peruvian dollar was used, and I want to ackowledge the international support as demonstrated by the Saint Louis University and the specialists who came from the United States. The principal researcher on the study is Fernando Serrano who is recognized around the world as a quality professional with high human and scientific standards.

Q. Why were samples also taken from the town of Concepcion?
A. According to data from the National Commission on the Environment, there are 1,067 metric tons of pollutants that are emitted by the smokestacks of La Oroya daily, and these gases spread more than 100 miles from the smelter.

Q. What does the study seek to accomplish?
A. We are looking to bring a proposal to the table that provides a realistic and sustainable solution to the acute environmental and labor problem in Oroya. With this point, I want to emphasize that this proposal acknowledges the needs of the mining sector. In public statements, we have repeatedly said that we are in agreement with continued mining activity, as long as such activity respects the life and health of the population.

Q. And how does this sit with the Doe Run Company?
A. The study should not be seen as being against anyone or or any company—its purpose is to ind a common solution in support of all sides, including the mining industry. Because as we know, the metal smelter began in 1922. Previously it was the Cerro de Pasco Copper Corporation and then until 1997 it was Centromin Peru (a state-owned corporation), and most recently the Doe Run Company.

Q. Have you received any personal attacks as a result of your sponsorship of the study?
A. There has been an unjustified campaign of deception not only against me as Archbishop but also against the foreign researchers. I understand that some are saying that I am against all mining and that I received 450 thousand dollars for this work. This is a personal offense and I won’t stand for it. It is my responsibility to represent the Catholic Church as Archbishop. Sometimes I wonder—if they say such things about me, what won’t they do to defenseless people who have no form of protection?

translation by Julie Hardeman