La Oroya

Graphic by Limeno artist "Che" Revoluchionary Grafikz!


I have just visited the Andean town of La Oroya, some 180km east of Lima and known as one of the most contaminated cities in the world according to the Blacksmith's Institute report. A frustrating situation of mining greed, dodgy politics and human rights violations on a grand scale.

There is now a pending international lawsuit against Peru for mining contamination filed by a number of international NGO's

Further reading:
www.savelaoroya.org/
http://www.aida-americas.org/




La Oroya. Doe Run Company's poly metallic smelter to the right, Oroya to the left, split by the Mantaro River.
The town is enjoying rare clear skies while the smelter operation is currently closed as Doe Run Peru has run into extensive financial trouble this year in a crisis that threatens thousands of jobs and the environmental clean-up continually promised and extended.


A 2005 study by St. Louis University found that more than 90 percent of children in La Oroya had high lead levels in their blood. This child was adhering to strict guidelines regarding the spread of H1N1 by regularly washing his hands. Seems a little ironic given the seemingly more dire health problems associated with Doe Run's emissions.


Residents are wedged over the financial impact Doe Run has on the 33000 strong population and health issues caused by contamination from the smelter. A choice between their livelihoods, their lives and their childrens.


The landscape around La Oroya is dramatically scarred by acid rain. Emissions remain in the air over La Oroya (when the plant is operational) due it's location enclosed within high altitude Andean mountains.