Mining giant fined Latinamerica Press 7/3/2008 Peru�s energy and mining supervising agency fined Swiss mining giant Xstrata 175,000 soles (US$60,345) for violating environmental norms at its Las Bambas copper mine in the southern Andean department of Apurimac.

The agency, known as OSINERGMIN, fined the mine on June 6 for failing ensure the prevention of environmental damage when it installed a drill platform.

In June 2007, material produced from drilling ran off into an old mine, which is now used by local villagers who use pipes to draw water for consumption.

In its investigation, the agency said that the perforations used additives different from those listed in the project´s environmental evaluation, adding that the drill platform did not have built the two pits necessary for the drilling clay to settle.

Xstrata said that there was no agreement to not use additives similar to those established in the environmental evaluation and that it has developed a standard for the construction of platforms that includes prevention and mitigation measures.

Xstrata bought rights to the Las Bambas mine, a 35,000 hectare site (86,000 acres), 4,500 meters (15,000 feet) above sea level, in 2004 for $91 million. The miner also operates the Tintaya copper mine in the Cusco department. —Latinamerica Press.