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Human rights court orders Peru to pay damages to Peru mining town

The InterAmerican Court of Human Rights on Friday ordered Peru to pay damages to locals of an Andean town for offenses of their right to a healthy environment from years of air, water and soil contamination from a. close-by mine.

The court ruled the state failed to abide by its responsibility to. regulate and supervise La Oroya Metallurgical Complex, which was. active for almost a century before debts and ecological. guidelines required it to close in 2009.

The court stated it supported that exposure to lead,. cadmium, arsenic and sulfur dioxide postured a significant danger to. a minimum of 80 regional residents, who did not get appropriate. medical attention from the federal government when they became ill.

The court decided they must receive a minimum of $30,000 each. in damages, with the most vulnerable getting $50,000.

A more $65,000 each must be paid to the legal. beneficiaries of two victims who died from diseases triggered by. the pollution.

Officials from Peru's government and its mining ministry did. not instantly react to ' ask for comment.

La Oroya partly resumed operations in 2023, managed by. Metalurgica Organization Peru SAC, a firm that counts former workers. amongst its investors and assured to comply with environmental. standards.

Peru is the world's second largest copper manufacturer and. mining comprises 60% of its total exports.

The court ordered the government to evaluate the existing state. of contamination in La Oroya and provide money and totally free medical. help to the victims.

(source: Reuters)