Peru cancels private mining project

Protesters confront anti-riot near Juliaca in the Puno region on Friday -- five people died in the clashes.Five people were killed and 25 injured in clashes with policeThe protest was over mining projects in the department of PunoThe government decided to put an end to one mining project

(CNN) -- Following the deaths of five protesters in clashes with police Friday, the Peruvian government agreed to put an end to a private mining project in the southern department of Puno.

The decision followed more than 10 hours of talks between government ministers and indigenous Aymara leaders as the two sides tried to put an end to an indefinite strike that has gripped Puno for a month. The protests are against mining and drilling concessions in the region.

On Saturday, a repeal of a 2007 decree that gave permission for the silver mine in Puno was officially repealed.

As a result, operations at the Santa Ana mine, owned by the Canadian Bear Creek Mining Corporation, was canceled. Also, the deal gives local indigenous communities the power to approve or deny any mining or drilling operations in the area.

"If the communities don't want mining, it can't be forced," said Fernando Gala, vice minister of mines.

The agreement could also affect existing concessions in Puno, he said.

The move comes after five people were killed and 25 injured in clashes with police as protesters tried to take over Manco Capac International Airport in the Puno city of Juliaca.

"Sadly, these are human lives and we have to sympathize with what happened," Cabinet chief Rosario Fernandez said.

She called for residents of Puno and two other areas where violent protests have taken hold -- Huancavelica and Huancayo -- to restore calm and assume an attitude of "democracy and dialogue."

While she regretted the deaths of the protesters in Puno, she said the government would act as needed to restore peace.

The mining of metals is one of Peru's leading industries, and a source of revenue for Peruvian departments with such natural resources.

According to the mine ministry, Puno receives 700 million soles ($250 million) annually from the government, of which about 40% is from mining royalties.

The canceling of the Santa Ana mine could cost Puno some 25 million soles ($9 million) in royalties, Gala said.

CNN

NATO: Gadhafi forces caught mining Misrata port

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO warships have intercepted several boats laying anti-shipping mines outside the harbor of the Libyan city of Misrata, a senior military officer said Friday.

var data = blocks.columnist;if (data != undefined){document.getElementById('columnistmug').innerHTML=data;} By Bernat Armangue, AP

A recent NATO airstrike has killed more than a dozen rebels in Misrata.

By Bernat Armangue, AP

A recent NATO airstrike has killed more than a dozen rebels in Misrata.

Misrata has been under siege by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi for several weeks, and though rebels have managed to expel regime forces from the city itself, the enclave is isolated and remains dependent for much of its food and other supplies on the sea link with the rebel capital of Benghazi. It appeared to be the first time sea mines have been used in the Libyan conflict.

"We have just seen Gadhafi forces floating anti-ship mines outside Misrata harbor today," said British Brig. Rob Weighill, director of NATO operations in Libya.

"It again shows his complete disregard for international law and his willingness to attack humanitarian delivery efforts," he said speaking via teleconference from the operation's headquarters in Naples.

Weighill said NATO crews were disposing of the mines.

It has been a month since NATO assumed control of the U.S.-led military operation in Libya, with the mandate to protect civilians from attack.

Since then, alliance warplanes have conducted a total of 4,242 sorties and 1,766 strike sorties. In addition, a total of 19 NATO ships are patrolling the central Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, a NATO spokeswoman said rebel chief of staff Abdel-Fatah Younes met Thursday with senior NATO officials in Brussels. Carmen Romero said there had been "an exchange of views on Libya," but declined to elaborate.

Younes, a former Libyan interior minister who defected to the opposition, called on the international community to supply heavy weapons to the rebels.

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