Peru miners suspend roadblock after clashes with police that killed 6; gov’t talks to be held

Peru miners lift roadblock for talks after clashes

LIMA, Peru — Independent miners agreed Wednesday to end road blockades that led to clashes with police and the deaths of six miners, responding to a government promise to form a joint commission to study the dispute, an official said.

Emerging from three hours of talks between miner leaders and officials, Cabinet Chief Javier Velasquez said the new panel will include miners in its effort to develop a national plan for regularizing wildcat mining.

The clashes began after the government moved to impose rules on unregulated gold mining that it says is ruining the environment in Peru’s Amazon jungle.

Miners began the highway blockade Sunday, stranding more than 1,000 vehicles in southeastern Peru. Attempts by police to force the protesters off the road sparked clashes in which six miners were shot to death.

Velasquez said the formation of the comission will ensure that miners will be heard.

“This strengthens democracy. There are no winners or losers,” he said.