Multimedia Collection
Choropampa: The Price of Gold
DVD
78 min
2002
HV638 .C486 2002 DVD
On June 2, 2000 at the Yanacocha goldmine in the Peruvian Andes, 151 kilograms of liquid mercury spilled over a 25-mile long area, contaminating three mountain villages, including Choropampa. The catastrophe turned this quiet village into a hotbed of civil resistence.
The mine, jointly owned by a Peruvian company, the World Bank, and the Newmont Mining Corp of Colorado, insists the problem was quickly resolved, while villagers tell a starkly different story. More than 900 people were poisoned from the spill. Nearly two years afterward, they continue to suffer the grave effects of mercury poisoning. Proper medical care has not been provided, and their health continues to deteriorate.
Villagers liken the mine owning foreigners to modern-day conquistadors, evoking the impoverished region's troubled, historical relationship with gold. A farmer tells the story of Atahualpa, the Inca ruler who was captured and murdered, not far from Choropampa, by Spanish explorers hungry for the precious metal. The treachery continues today he says, "Foreigners have been coming and taking our gold and Peru remains as poor as ever..." But when the young, dashing Lot Saavedra is elected mayor the town finds new hope. Saavedra promises health care and fair compensation for the victims, and takes on politicians, the mine, and shady medical experts to do so.
In cinéma vérité style, illustrated by archival footage, CHOROPAMPA - THE PRICE OF GOLD exposes the global gold trade's nasty underbelly, and makes it clear that the village was sacrificed to American business interests. The story is a poignant reminder of the real cost of gold.
Distributed by First Run / Icarus Films (www.frif.com)
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