29 February, 2008Two workers suffered an accident at the Casapalca mine in Peru, but the company has not released any information about the incident. The CNMM has asked the government to conduct an exhaustive investigation.
PERU: The National Women Miners' Central (Central Nacional de la Mujer Minera -- CNMM) has reported that two contract workers employed at the Casapalca Mining Company suffered an accident at the workplace, on Wednesday February 27. It is not known whether they are alive or dead, their state of health if alive or to where they have been taken.
According to the Central's sources, the workers were put in the back room of a cheap hotel, on the main road, near the mining company's offices. Both were wearing work clothes and showed no signs of life. They were under the guard of the mining company's security and social service staff.
The sources said the company has indicated that the workers were not working in the mine but were on their way from the mining area of Morococha. The company has refused to provide more information, such as the identity of the miners and their present location.
The CNMM has asked the Peruvian government, specifically the Ministry of Energy and Mines, to make a detailed investigation of this tragedy and to make an announcement about whether the workers are alive or dead, their names, whereabouts, the causes of the accident and the mining company's responsibility in the matter.
The Casapalca mine produces silver, zinc, lead and copper and is located in the Lima hills, more than 3,800 metres above sea level.