abuse, of ancestral territories, as well as calls for improved mining governance arose. This, in turned, sparked the transition to a new set of ideas about how mining should be conducted. But transitions are complex, multidimensional processes, requiring the participation of a vast array of social actors, with the purpose to bring about significant changes in the practices, structure and shared culture of social systems, leading to a more balanced, territorial view. The motivation driving all those who are up against mining activities is never the same, some genuinely fear the world they know will never be the same again, others are acquainted with stories of mining causing pollution and disease. But there are also those who are politically-driven or pursue not an altruistic, but a rather personal, profit-seeking agenda. With its reputation tarnished, the mining industry strived to raise its standards and improve its ways and means. International certifications were not enough, best international practices had to be pursued. Accordingly, the mining approach to social issues underwent an evolution: philanthropy, community relations, social responsibility, social development, social management… but beyond labels, there is a set of common but differentiated responsibilities, which in turn mean a certain division of labour; after all, mining is only a variable in the equation of sustainable development. But all that may never be enough for hard-core opponents. Although some projects did not go through due to social issues: Tambogrande (2003), Cerro Quilish (2004), Conga (2011), other projects began production since the turn of the century: Lagunas Norte (2005), Cerro Corona (2008), Tantahuatay (2011), La Zanja (2012), Antapaccay (2012), Toromocho (2013), Constancia (2014), Las Bambas (2015), Mina Justa (2021), Quellaveco (2022). Existing operations, like Cerro Verde and Antamina, underwent significant expansions. This resurgence of mining activities is explained by renewed confidence in the country, strong minerals demand, and favourable price evolution, which led to increased production volumes, mirroring the accelerated growth of the Chinese economy. After a number of scandals, and before facing a second impeachment vote, Kuczinsky resigned, he was succeeded in the office by his First Vice President Martín Vizcarra (23.03.18). In turn Vizcarra was discharged from the office of President of the Republic by Congress (9 Nov 2020), on grounds of moral incapacity, His constitutional successor, Manuel Merino, took oath of office as President (10.11.20), but after six days in office, following the killings of two protesters by police, Congress accepted his resignation and declared its newly-elected chairman, Francisco Sagasti (16.11.20) as President of the country and he took office the following day (17.11.20). Long-standing economic inequities and development gaps were made worse by the traumatic experience of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020), all these issues loomed large in 2021, leading to the election of Pedro Castillo as new president. The Castillo time in office was troublesome 132
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2