Candente has made a proposal to the surface rights holders, the community of Kañaris, for a three year surface access rights agreement during which it plans to have an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Feasibility Studies and further exploration of the Cañariaco Property completed. 

Under Community Law in Peru, such an agreement can only be accepted during a General Assembly meeting of the community.

For reasons not disclosed, the president of the community, Cristobal Barrios, has to date failed to call for a General Assembly meeting to vote upon the approval of the proposed surface rights agreement. 

On April 2nd, 2012 a petition signed by over 1,000 community members (representing more than 30% of the registered voters in the Community) was delivered to Mr. Barrios by a judge, Candente said in a press release. 

The petition demanded that Barrios, by April 14th, 2012 either choose a date and call the General Assembly meeting to vote upon the approval of the surface rights access agreement with the company or the Judge would have the right to call the General Assembly meeting directly. 

On April 15th, 2012 a meeting was held by Barrios (the company was not invited) during which he informed the community that he was choosing to ignore the petition demanding the calling of a General Assembly meeting.

Instead Barrios called for a different kind of meeting to be held on July 15th, 2012, which he called a consulta popular. 

(END) LVT/EEP/LVT