...The Dialogue Roundtable [for the Tintaya mine] represents an important attempt on the part of its members, including BHP Billiton, to create an effective mechanism for resolving the many conflicts that have arisen in the Espinar province. It is one of the most important conflict resolution initiatives in Peru...Despite this important breakthrough there is still a high degree of scepticism...Only four out of about 30 human rights cases have been dealt with – and this has taken two years...Both towns and the countryside [near La Oroya smelter, operated by Doe Run (part of Renco)] have been affected by mining activities: rivers are visibly polluted, farmlands have been rendered unusable and the air quality is so bad that there have been extremely serious cases of lead poisoning...Doe Run has chosen not to respond to the specific issues highlighted in this case study...The story of Tambogrande [mine operated by Manhattan Minerals] demonstrates how little the views of local people appear to matter in the world of large-scale mining...Manhattan Minerals has chosen not to respond to the specific issues raised in this case study, as it is currently in arbitration with the Peruvian government.