Peruvian Cardinal Calls $150m Settlement for Lead Poisoning a Historic Milestone

Cardinal Pedro Barreto, 82, has long led a campaign against the operations of the Doe Run Company, a U.S. mining firm that ran a toxic smelter in the Peruvian Andes. During nearly two decades of advocacy, he faced a barrage of death threats and harassment, underscoring the high stakes of the environmental and public‑health dispute. In June, while in Rome meeting Pope Leo XIV and other cardinals, the cardinal learned that Doe Run’s parent company, Renco Group, had agreed to an out‑of‑court settlement of $150 million (about £111 million) for 1,373 Peruvians who had suffered health impacts since childhood.

The settlement, which the cardinal describes as a “historic milestone,” will compensate individuals who were exposed to toxic emissions from the smelter, which has been linked to respiratory illnesses, cancers, and other serious health conditions. The agreement reflects a broader push for corporate accountability and environmental justice in Peru, where the smelter’s operations have long been contested by local communities and environmental groups. By securing the payout, Barreto’s campaign has achieved a tangible outcome that acknowledges the suffering of affected residents and sets a precedent for future corporate responsibility cases.

Barreto’s experience highlights the personal risks faced by environmental advocates in the region. His continued advocacy, even after the settlement, signals a commitment to ensuring that the affected communities receive the promised support and that similar environmental violations are prevented in the future. The resolution of this case marks a significant step forward for public‑health protection and corporate accountability in Peru’s mining sector.