On December 21st, 2004, representatives of communities near the Tintaya Copper mine in Cusco, Peru, signed an unprecedented agreement with the BHP-Billiton mining company, culminating two years of dialogue and negotiations. In addition to responding to long-standing complaints of unjust land seizures and human rights violations, the mining corporation also committed to seeking the consent of communities before undertaking any additional mining activities that will affect people living near the mine.