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Peru community holds miners hostage for sixth day

20 Jan 2009 18:43:40 GMT
Source: Reuters

LIMA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Four employees of Minera Afrodita and two people who were traveling with them in northern Peru were held hostage for the sixth day on Tuesday, taken by protesters upset over mining development, the company said.

The group, which includes four workers, their boat captain and his helper, was seized on Thursday in the remote town of Huampani. The company said its workers were there to invite local leaders to a meeting to talk about mining projects.

Conflicts between companies and communities, which worry about the social and environmental impact of mining, are common in Peru, a major metals producer.

"When they showed up in Huampani to deliver the invitation ... they were kidnapped," said Carlos Ballon, director at Minera Afrodita.

Afrodita has mining concessions near Peru's northern border, where it is looking for gold. A small Canadian miner, Dorato Resources <DRI.V>, has the rights to buy up to 100 percent of the company's shares.

Peru's mining and energy ministry has said it would send a commission to the area to discuss the community's demands, but not before the hostages are let go.

The office of Peru's ombudsman has arranged for a team of doctors to review the conditions of the people being held.

Ballon said that one of the men taken hostage is in poor health, having had triple bypass surgery a year ago.

"Our main concern is to get our people released, especially this person who has a serious heart condition," said Ballon.

Peru often ranks as the world's fifth-largest gold producer. (Reporting by Dana Ford and Maria Luisa Palomino; Writing by Dana Ford; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

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