Mining Conflicts and Values in Cajamarca, Peru

This paper examines how perceptions of value can lead to an exacerbation of tensions in mining conflicts. In Cajamarca, Peru, local communities have protested against Minera Yanacocha, who’s mining operations have led to environmental issues. The company endeavours to construct artificial lagoons and promises employment possibilities. However, for the local community, their ideas are disregarding dissimilar relations to the natural environment. We analyse these problems with our theoretical framework which pivots around deciphering value conflicts and dilemmas of incommensurability. We approach these issues through two case studies where conflicts have led to protests by local communities. We find that technical solutions, logic of equivalences and commensuration proposals by Minera Yanacocha in liaison with governmental entities have failed, or refused, to incorporate a plurality of values and thus exacerbated conflicts. Our study echoes the importance of delving into the underlying human desires and values and not just overarching tendencies.