The Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is working with mining giant Xstrata to find ways of funneling money toward environmentally friendly projects in Peru.

This as a Peruvian province fell into violent protest this week over alleged pollution from an Xstrata-owned mine.

SECO spokeswoman Nicole Müller told public television that SECO had been interested in Xstrata’s potential in the politics of development. 

The goal is to support local communities in funneling tax money and other spending from Xstrata operations toward environmentally and socially conscious projects.

Two people died this week and dozens injured as protestors claimed an Xstrata mine polluted two rivers.

The company denies that.