Update May 2019: In the four years since we launched this petition, Máxima continues to be attacked by private security guards working for the world’s second-largest gold mining corporation, Newmont Mining, and threatened with lawsuits.
Original text from February 2015:
The world's second biggest gold mining corporation is at war with an indigenous Peruvian farmer.
Máxima Acuña de Chaupe has been fighting for years to save her land and her community. Newmont Mining is determined to destroy both for a massive, open-pit gold mine -- which would drain four mountain lakes in an arid farming region.
Newmont Mining has already lost in court to Máxima, and her land should be safe. But now Newmont-backed security officers have invaded Máxima's house and destroyed part of it.
Máxima is strong, but she needs our support to win against Newmont's aggressive bullying tactics. If hundreds of thousands of us speak out now and tell the mining giant that we are watching Máxima's back, the corporate bully may finally back off. Will you send a message to ensure Máxima's safety?
Máxima is a true heroine! Tell Newmont to stop its attacks and respect the court's ruling.
This isn't an isolated incident with this corporate bully. With operations on five continents, Newmont has been accused of polluting the environment, damaging natural habitats, impacting the health of local communities, corruption, and bribery in locations around the world from Nevada to Indonesia.
These unethical business practices can't continue. The courts have already called for an end to this harassment, and by standing behind Máxima we can finally make Newmont listen. We are teaming up with our friends at Earthworks to speak out against this corporate bully. This strategy has worked before -- together with Earthworks, we convinced another multinational mining company, Rio Tinto, to drop its investment in what would have been the biggest gold mine on earth -- a mine that would have destroyed half of the world's sockeye salmon population.
Máxima has been fighting against this corporate bully for months. Let's speak out now to let her know that she is not alone in this fight.
Sign the petition to Newmont Mining, demanding that the corporation leave Máxima and her neighbours in peace!
More information
PRI. 4 June 2018.
YouTube. 17 April 2016.
Mining.com. 17 April 2019.