The BBC's Mattia Cabitza in Lima says mining is a huge revenue earner for Peru, but that ongoing social and environmental conflicts are threatening to delay billions of dollars of investment.

BBC: Deadly clash at Peru protest over Barrick gold mine

The region faces a number of problems including a lack of economic development, environmental pollution, and military conflicts.

BBC: Black Sea strategy

It has been especially active in environmental cases, where lawyers are fighting a rearguard action on behalf of communities affected by environmental degradation, and in property-law disputes, where the vast expansion of home-ownership has caused many conflicts between the new owners and property developers or the state.

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