"Peru: Máxima Acuña and Partner Attacked by Mining Firm's Guards"

"Campesino activist [and Goldman Prize winner Máxima] Acuña refused to sell her land in 2011 as the Yanacocha firm was setting up the largest gold-mining project in South America.

Peru's internationally-renowned environmentalist Maxima Acuña and her partner were severely hurt Sunday morning in an attack by alleged hitmen hired by the mining company they are fighting against, reported Acuña's daughter.

At around 9.30 a.m. local time, “people hired by mining firm Yanacocha illegally broke into the property and started damaging the lot with various tools,” said Ysidora Chaupe, daughter of Acuña and Jaime Chaupe.

'When Maxima and Jaime approached them and demanded they stop invading the property, the mining firm's security staff violently attacked Maxima and Jaime, hitting Maxima in the head and body with a weapon, leaving her seriously hurt,' she added. "

teleSUR English had the story September 18, 2016.