Peru has to pay compensation to La Oroya residence

La Oroya

Peru has to pay compensation to  La Oroya residents due to the influence of the mining activity from the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex on the environment. The case was at first brought to the IACHR by 80 citizens and was taken to the Constitutional Tribunal in 2006. However, the state failed to implement its recommendations.

Compensation

After this, the formal approach to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights was made with similar results. In 2022, the case was referred to the Court. According to the ruling residences should receive at least $30,000 each in damages. In case of the most critical damages, the compensation should be $50,000. The additional compensation of $65,000 should be paid to the legal beneficiaries of two people who died due to the pollution. Moreover, the government has to assess the current state of contamination and provide free medical aid to the victims.

Oroya Metallurgical Complex

The Oroya Metallurgical Complex was one of most important Peru’s industrial centers. It was in 1922 to refine minerals from nearby mining operations. The plant has long been accused of running roughshod over the health of workers and others living in the town, producing highly toxic fumes and waste. Since 2009 its activities have been suspended, however, in 2023 La Oroya under the management of Metalurgica Business Peru has partially resumed operations in 2023.

The Oroya Metallurgical Complex is considered one of the world’s most contaminated environment