27 May, 2008In February 2008, two workers were victims of a workplace accident. Given the lack of information about the incident, the CNMM asked the government to investigate. We now know the identities and state of health of the two workers.
PERU: In February 2008, the National Confederation of Women Miners of Peru (CNMM) informed the IMF about an accident involving two contract workers with the Casapalca Mining Company. It seemed the accident was serious but the state of health and whereabouts of the workers remained unknown.
The CNMM therefore asked the Peruvian government to conduct a detailed investigation into the accident and find out their names, state of health, the causes of the accident and the company's responsibilities.
After more than two months, the investigation has obtained positive results. It obliged Casapalca S.A. to provide the identities of the workers (Alfredo Casas Orihuela and Leonoj Ever Poma Huaroc) and the names of the contractors involved (Minera Ramírez S.A.C. and Cía. Minera Londres S.A.). It was then possible to obtain the identity documents and addresses of the workers and apply pressure on the companies to provide health care and insurance for work accidents.
At the end of March, the Ombudsman formally intervened in the investigation and visits were made to the homes of the two workers. The wife of Alfredo Casas said that her husband was undergoing rehabilitation in the town of Huancayo and that the contractor, Minera Londres (same owner as Casapalca Mining Company) had paid all due health and financial benefits and promised to continue to employ the worker in a new job (as his injuries were less serious).
The wife of Leonoj Ever Poma Huaroc said that her husband was undergoing intensive rehabilitation therapy to recover from trauma of his lower extremities and forearm. She said that the contractor, Minera Londres, was covering the costs of his stay in Lima and paying health and financial benefits.
The CNMM believes that the investigation forced Casapalca to acknowledge its responsibility for the accident. The case has been taken up by the Joint Provincial Prosecutor in Huarochirí, where the investigation is taking place, who will attempt to clarify the causes of the accident and determine the responsibilities of the companies involved.
The Casapalca mine is located in the Lima hills, more than 3,800 metres above sea level, and mines silver, zinc, lead and copper deposits.