Peru Ministry of Energy and Mines addresses Llallimayo River contamination

Peru's Minister of Energy and Mines, Guillermo Shinno, met with the provincial mayor of Melgar, Rusell Mamani Hancco, to discuss environmental remediation in the Llallimayo River basin. The ministry is working toward a formal agreement to address long-standing heavy metal contamination in the area.

Despite these discussions, Mayor Mamani Hancco has expressed frustration, stating that progress has been limited to formal procedures and that no budget has been allocated for actual works. Local communities in Ayaviri, Llalli, Umachiri, and Cupihan have previously conducted road blockades to demand government action. While S/ 61.5 million was previously announced for studies and remediation, the Executive recently informed authorities that there is currently no budget availability for these purposes.

Additionally, the ministry and the Melgar municipality are coordinating the implementation of a LPG distribution plant in Ayaviri and pursuing rural electrification projects in the provinces of Melgar, Lampa, and Azángaro.