"UK mining firm in court over claims it mistreated environmental activists," 31 October 2017

A UK-registered mining company, which is now part of Glencore, is facing claims in a London court that it hired security forces to mistreat environmental activists protesting about a copper mine in Peru.

Two demonstrators died and others were left with serious injuries following the confrontations which lasted for several days during May 2012 on a remote hillside in the Andes...

The two-week trial of the mining company, Xstrata... will be determined under Peruvian law. ...

Lawyers for Xstrata argue that the claims have been brought too late and should be barred under a statute of limitations...

Xstrata was alleged to have paid the equivalent of £700,000 for the services of about 1,300 Peruvian national police and provided them with weapons such as rubber bullets and teargas, as well as food and accommodation.

It is alleged that the company encouraged the security forces to mistreat the eco-protesters, who had gathered near the Tintaya copper mine near the town of Espinar...

The company denies liability, arguing that police protection was necessary since thousands of protesters, many carrying traditional slingshots, were marching towards the mine. Xstrata also said that the Peruvian national police operated independently and it had no control over their behaviour. ...

The court has also been told that in the run-up to the protests in 2012 the mining company “covertly monitored” community meetings and employed informants, sharing its intelligence with the police. ...