Peruvian government prosecutor Martha Salinas announced on Mar. 28 the conclusion of an investigation into environmental infractions and crimes in the mining industry, and that presumed criminal liability had been found for 128 companies, including the two largest operating in the country: Mexico's Southern Peru, and the U.S.-based Doe Run. Also facing lawsuits are officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mining who authorized the operations of the companies without appropriate environmental management programs, or without verifying compliance with environmental rules, said Salinas.

Mining is the leading export industry in Peru, but it is also responsible for the country's worst environmental problems in around 700 high-risk areas, especially due to dumping of toxic waste and emissions of polluting gases.

''The mining companies that have caused environmental harm will have to make economic reparations to the affected communities,'' Luis Flores, chairman of the congressional Mining Commission, told Tierramérica.