Editorial photo #2126880 Human Interest

Protests against gold mining in Cajamarca

Cows graze on the site of the proposed Conga gold mine, where Newmont mining Co. has faced local resistance in its plans to expand mining activity in the high Andes Mountains of Cajamarca, Peru. Photo taken March 22, 2017.Cajamarca, Peru, is home to the Yanacocha gold and copper mine, one of the largest open pit mines in the world. In 2012, the mine's operator, US-based Newmont Mining Co. proposed expanding the mine by opening a new project called the Conga Mine. This proposal was met with intense resistance from the local and indigenous population, who felt more mining activity would further contaminate water supplies in the region. Photos taken in March 2012. (Photo by Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto)