Thousands of Anti-mine Activists Hold March for Water

Thousands of indigenous Peruvians marched through the streets of the capital city of Lima on Friday. They want clean water, which they say is being threatened by the increasing presence of mines in the countryside.

A core group of activists set off on February 1 from the northern region of Cajamarca where residents say the Conga gold mine project threatens to pollute lakes that supply local residents' water supply.

[Wilfredo Saavedra, Environmental Defence Front President]:
"The Conga project isn't for us. It's unfeasible. The popular will has been expressed and we will demand respect for what the people are asking for right now."

Along the way, they were joined by other anti-mining activists. The group grew to 2,000 protesters who arrived in Lima for The March for Water.

Farmer Juan Rojas said the mines threaten the existence of his way of life.

[Juan Rojas, Farmer]:
"We're in a sacrificial march because we believe that this is a crime against our rights, the right of Peruvians, of people who live in the countryside. They want our water to disappear and, to a large degree, it is already disappearing in Cajamarca."

In Lima, activists presented Congress with two bills: one prohibiting mining in river basins like Cuenca and the other banning highly toxic substances like mercury in mining.

Hoping to eliminate the privatization of water, protesters are also demanding that Peru acknowledge water as a human right.

The 4.8 billion dollar mine is owned by U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corp. and a Peruvian mining company.

The project was approved by the Peruvian government. Advocates point to completed environmental impact studies and the prospect of numerous local jobs and increased tax revenue.

The controversial mines have been the subject of environmental protests for months.