GOVT BACKS CANDENTE OVER PERUVIAN MINE PROTESTS

Peruvian authorities have come to the defence of Canadian miner Candente Copper over clashes that left two people seriously injured at its Cañariaco Norte copper project near Cañaris in the country’s north.
Local media report the confrontation occurred when 100 police tried to remove a week-long road blockade set up by about 400 protestors.
Despite a 70% community vote in July in support of the project, several protests have been mounted since Candente began preparations for exploration drilling in mid-2012.
Guillermo Shinno, vice-minister of energy and mines, says opponents of the mine are being misinformed about the environmental risks.
CEO Joey Freeze told Peru’s Canal N television news Candente has built a very good relationship with the community and supports a range of local ventures as well as providing local employment. She blames the opposition on the failure of past miners to protect the environment.