2 dead in clashes over mine project
EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL
Two people were killed and 21 injured during clashes between Peruvian police and protesters opposed to a $5 billion gold mine planned by Newmont Mining in northern Peru.
Peruvian Prime Minister Oscar Valdes condemned the violence.
The clashes started in Celendin where the U.S. company plans to build the biggest mine in Peruvian history.
Protesters say the mine would cause pollution, harm water supplies, and fail to bring enough local economic benefits.
Local officials have accused President Ollanta Humala's government of putting big miners ahead of poor peasants left behind by the country's decade-long economic boom.
Humala has said the project is vital for Peru as it would generate thousands of jobs and huge tax revenues in one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies.
Peru, which has vast mineral resources, is the world's second largest producer of copper and sixth of gold, but many mining communities suffer from widespread poverty and complain a decade-long economic boom has passed them by.
Two people were killed and 21 injured during clashes between Peruvian police and protesters opposed to a $5 billion gold mine planned by Newmont Mining in northern Peru.
Peruvian Prime Minister Oscar Valdes condemned the violence.
The clashes started in Celendin where the U.S. company plans to build the biggest mine in Peruvian history.
Protesters say the mine would cause pollution, harm water supplies, and fail to bring enough local economic benefits.
Local officials have accused President Ollanta Humala's government of putting big miners ahead of poor peasants left behind by the country's decade-long economic boom.
Humala has said the project is vital for Peru as it would generate thousands of jobs and huge tax revenues in one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies.
Peru, which has vast mineral resources, is the world's second largest producer of copper and sixth of gold, but many mining communities suffer from widespread poverty and complain a decade-long economic boom has passed them by.