Mining Projects and Socio-environmental Factors that Weaken Campesino (peasant) Communities in the Central Andes of Peru

• Published in: Gestión y ambiente 2018-05, Vol.21 (2Supl), p.47
• Main Authors: Quispe-Zuniga, Melissa R, Quispe-Ortiz, Carlos M, Plasencia, Rommel
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Community; Economics; Environmental factors; Mining
• ISSN: 0124-177X; 2357-5905
• DOI: 10.15446/ga.v21n2supl.77833

In the central Peruvian Andes, the potential impact of mining and the overlap of mining areas with community lands have caused different impacts, ranging from those affecting the environment to those affecting the community institution. The objective of this study is to analyse the socio-environmental factors that would weaken the campesino (peasant) communities of Huasicancha and Chongos Alto in the central Andes. The current case study is based on mixed methods, including in-depth interviews with open-ended questions and non-participant observation from November 2016 to July 2017. In total, 50 stakeholders (e.g. community members, state institutions, mining companies, etc.) were interviewed. This study found that both communities face socio-environmental factors such as the (economic and environmental) influence of mining projects, the economic influence of social programs, the state institutions, the lack of interest of community members in community activities, the pre-existent territorial conflicts, lack of job opportunities and the decline of farming production. These socio-environmental factors have weakened the campesino community as institution.