Anti-mining protesters sack buildings in Peru

Activists opposed to mining operations in Peru's southeastern Puno region mobilized for a fresh wave of protests after a respite that allowed stores to briefly open for business.The protesters, mostly Aymara Indians, are angry over plans by a Canadian company to open a silver mine in the area, fearing it will pollute the water and leave few local benefits. They also oppose other area mines.

Activists opposed to mining operations in the southeastern Puno region mobilized Monday for a fresh wave of protests after a respite that allowed stores to briefly open for business.The protesters, mostly Aymara Indians, are angry over plans by a Canadian company to open a silver mine in the area, fearing it will pollute the water and leave few local benefits. They also oppose other area mines.

Canada's Bear Creek Mining Corporation said it will use "all available avenues" to insist on its right to open a silver mine in the mountains of southeastern Peru, after authorities suspended its concession.Peru's government made the move Saturday following deadly regional protests by indigenous anti-mining demonstrators who fear that mines pollute area waterways and leave few local benefits.The government of President Alan Garcia granted Bear Creek a concession to mine in the Santa Ana community of the department of Puno in 2007.

LIMA, Peru — Growing to about 5 inches on average, the Peruvian anchovy might seem an unlikely candidate for the title of the world’s mightiest fish.

LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Peru's biggest mining investment is under threat and government social welfare programs with it as highlands peasants step up protests against a gold-and-copper mine they fear could taint and diminish their water supply....

The earthquake all but flattened colonial Lima, the shaking so violent that people tossed to the ground couldn’t get back up. Minutes later, a 15-meter wall of Pacific Ocean crashed into the adjacent port of Callao, killing all but 200 of its 5,000 inhabitants. Bodies washed ashore for weeks. Plenty of earthquakes have shaken Peru’s capital in the 266 years since that fateful night of Oct. 28, 1746, though none with anything near the violence.

Aymara Indian activists opposed to mining operations in Peru's southeastern Puno region agreed in an open meeting Tuesday to halt protests until after the June 5 presidential run-off vote.The protesters had blocked a key highway to Bolivia as well as all access to the city of Puno, population 120,000, a popular tourist site on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.