Mining, Territory and Exclusion: Social Conflict in Marcona between Shougang Hierro Perú and Human Settlements

Abstract

The research aimed to describe the origin and development of the social conflict between the mining company Shougang Hierro Perú S.A. and the human settlements of the Marcona district, Ica region, considering the historical, territorial, and social factors that generate and sustain it. A qualitative approach was used, employing an inductive method, basic type, and descriptive level, with a cross-sectional design. The population consisted of inhabitants from the human settlements Nuevo Amanecer and Cerro Colorado, and the sample was non-probabilistic by the researcher’s judgment, reaching saturation through nine semi-structured interviews complemented by document review. The conflict originated with the privatization of Hierro Perú in 1992, when Shougang received a concession of 64,000 hectares covering much of the district, which limited urban expansion and restricted access to land for housing. The company did not fully meet its commitments, intensifying social discontent. Tensions grew due to disorderly urban development on concessioned areas, precarious basic services, environmental pollution, and the lack of effective dialogue spaces. The relationship between the mining company, the municipality, and the population is characterized by distrust, the absence of agreements, and irreconcilable positions regarding land use. It is concluded that conflict management has been limited due to weak coordination among the actors involved, making effective collaboration between the company, the State, and the community necessary to promote sustainable solutions that ensure proper territorial planning and improve the quality of life of the residents.