Miguel Palacin

Miguel Palacin from Peru is an indigenous Quechua leader and the coordinator of the CAOI (La Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indígenas, Coordinating Body of Andean Indigenous Organizations). Before he was for many years the chairman of CONACAMI (Confederación Nacional de Comunidades del Peru Afectadas por la Mineria, National Confederation of Communities in Peru affected by Mining). This organisation crucially united the many communities in Peru that are facing the local impact of large scale open pit mining operations.

CAOI is at this moment the most influential international indigenous organization of South America. CAOI is playing an important role in talks to unite indigenous organizations of the Andean region and the Amazon Basin as well as in talks to create a better continental indigenous coordination. Member organizations are: Ecuarunari (Ecuador), CONACAMI (Peru), CONAMAQ (Bolivia), ONIC (Colombia), CITEM (Chili) and ONPIA (Argentine).
 

The World Bank’s Push for Mining Reform in Peru

In general, World Bank supported reforms in Peru’s mining sector concentrated on improving policies and institutions in favour of foreign investors, without strengthening policies and institutions for the poor and the environment. This led to a mining boom which was accompanied by poor revenue management, social and environmental conflicts, and weak forward and backward economic linkages. Furthermore, the reform programme appeared to exacerbate some macroeconomic weaknesses: Peru’s economy became more vulnerable to external shocks and more dependent on primary commodities. Most notably, the reforms did not reduce poverty and social unrest increased. As mining growth outpaced program efforts to improve environmental management, environmental degradation remains a significant problem in Peru.

Miguel Palacin will discuss the impact of mining operations all over Peru.