BHP Billiton has settled a royalty dispute with the Colombian government – thus enabling the world’s second biggest mining company to continuing operating its Cerro Matoso nickel mine. (At the same time, fifty five workers have filed a lawsuit demanding compensation from Cerro Matoso for a number of occupational diseases and health damages suffered by them in many sectors of the plant.)
The Brazilian government is reforming royalty rates, and this will affect, among others, Anglo American.
Meanwhile, although newly-elected Peruvian president, Humala, has been criticised by some indigenous leaders for failing to grant their communities a veto over new mining projects, others are praising a recently-promulgated law, requiring extractive companies to “consult” about them with their communities. London-listed companies with operations in Peru include Anglo American, Monterrico Metals, Rio Tinto and Xstrata.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/11170.