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For two weeks, thousands of residents of Cajamarca, Peru took to the streets to protest against the expansion of the Yanacocha gold mine -- South America's largest.  U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corp.

Thousands protesting in Cajamarca, Peru against the proposed expansion of the Yanacocha gold mine.  Credit: GRUFIDES

wants to expand the mine onto Cerro Quilish mountain, a move which could contaminate and deplete the already scarce freshwater resources that supply this arid Andean town.

In addition to being a primary freshwater source for Cajamarca, Cerro Quilish mountain has been spiritually important to the area's citizens since the time of the Incas.

Protestors faced tear gas, police violence, and long nights, but refused to back down. The mine is majority-owned by Newmont, and partially owned by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC).

As a result of the protests, the Peruvian government agreed last Thursday (September 16) to suspend Newmont's permit to mine on Cerro Quilish pending further dialogue with communities and an independent assessment of the potential impacts of mining on the mountain.

This action is a great victory for the people of Cajamarca. And it is a lesson to Newmont that it should not mine without the consent of local populations.

Please ACT NOW to support the people of Cajamarca and communities around the world impacted by Newmont! Write to Newmont and the IFC (see sample letter below) and urge them to commit to not mining anywhere without the free, prior, and informed consent of local communities.