South American trade bloc orders Peru to crack down on mercury trafficking and illegal gold mining

Mongabay
Mongabay
2M ago
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The Andean Community has mandated Peru to address illegal gold mining and mercury trafficking, threatening trade sanctions if compliance is not met.
South American trade bloc orders Peru to crack down on mercury trafficking and illegal gold mining
A What happened
The Andean Community, comprising Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia, has determined that Peru is failing to adequately address illegal gold mining and mercury trafficking. This decision comes after reports from Indigenous groups indicating that mercury from mining activities is contaminating rivers and food supplies in the Amazon region. Peru has been given a 20-day deadline to implement legal reforms and confiscate illegal mining equipment, or it risks facing trade sanctions. Although Peru has initiated some measures to combat mercury trafficking, the enforcement of these laws has been inconsistent, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current efforts. This ruling could set a significant precedent for other nations grappling with similar issues.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Mercury Pollution Impact: Indigenous groups report mercury poisoning affecting rivers and food.

  • 2

    Trade Sanctions Threat: Peru faces potential trade sanctions for non-compliance.

  • 3

    Legal Reforms Required: The Andean Community demands legal reforms to combat illegal mining.

Takeaways

Peru's response to this ruling will be crucial in addressing environmental and health concerns linked to illegal mining.

Topics

Health & Medicine Public Health Culture & Society Society World & Politics Corruption & Accountability