The Andes

Ecuador: protests mount over mining, oil

Protesters crashed the opening of the Expominas trade fair at the Quito Exhibition Center, where Ecuador's government sought to win new investors for the mineral and oil sectors.

Inner Asia

China: Mongol herders’ protest march blocked

Police in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region blocked an attempted cross-country march by traditional Mongol herders, with police assaulting hundreds in two incidents.

Inner Asia

Tibet mine disaster exposes internal colonialism

As rescuers struggle to reach workers trapped by a landslide at a Tibetan gold mine, China’s authorities “scrubbed” microblog comments on the costs of breakneck mineral exploitation.

The Andes

Peru: new anti-mining struggle in Cajamarca

National Police troops attacked hundreds of campesinos in Peru’s northern Cajamarca region in a protest against the mineral operations of Canadian-owned Sulliden Gold Corporation. 

The Andes

Ecuador: campesinos march on World Water Day

World Water Day marches in Ecuador ironically coincided with the start of a brief jail sentence for three campesino leaders in Cuenca, convicted in a protest over water rights.

North Africa

Strike at Chinese uranium mine in Niger

Workers went on a 72-hour strike at the Chinese-owned Somina uranium mine in northern Niger, demanding better wages and the release of unpaid bonuses.

Mexico

Narco-coal: Zetas diversify portfolio

Authorities in Mexico's coal-producing northern state of Coahuila say that the notorios Zetas, bloodiest of the country's warring cartels, have taken over much of the mining industry.

The Andes

Peru: two dead in miners’ protest

A clash broke out as riot troops from Peru's National Police force evicted a group of informal miners from their encampment in northern La Libertad region, leaving two miners dead.

The Andes

Peru: Newmont denies plans to quit Cajamarca

Peru’s Yanacocha mining company, facing an ultimatum from protesters to leave the contested Conga site, denied press reports that it plans to quit gold-rich Cajamarca region.