Peru: Firm accused of torture is hit by armed attack

Date: 3 Nov 2009

British mining firm Monterrico Metals has said that gunmen have attacked its copper mine leaving at least two of its workers dead. The company is currently the subject of legal action accusing it of complicity in the torture and killing of protestors.

Reportedly, around 20 men burned the camp at the Rio Blanco site in the northern Andes. Seven workers are missing, in addition to the two guards that have been shot.

Attacks on the mine have been carried out several times in recent years by protestors campaigning against pollution from the mine.

In 2005, a group of protestors said that armed police had been waiting for them when they marched on the site. 28 people were detained and tortured for three days. Three protestors were shot by police – one of whom died of his injuries.

The company has denied any control over the police operation, but the protestors claim that the police were being directed by managers for the mine.

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