In the latest chapter of the conflict between local citizens and outside mineral extraction companies...
An article in today's Sudcaliforniano reports that the Cabildo (Municipal Council) of La Paz was asked by two sub-agencies of SEMARNAT to provide an
opinion on the open-pit mine proposed by the Canadian mining company La Pitalla (SEMARNAT is the cabinet-level federal agency in charge of
environmental matters and natural resources).
According to the Cabildo, they are given ultimate authority under the Constitution to decide such matters, and they are saying a loud "NO!" to mining.
Their reasoning is that mining is sure to pollute the aquifers the southern peninsula depends on for its water needs. They point to past mining
practices which have left a legacy of groundwater pollution. The valley that the agricultural community of Los Planes sits in has the most polluted
water in the region. It is easy to see why if one follows the newly-paved road up the valley; it leads to San Antonio and then El Triunfo—the center
of the old Southern Mining District. Arsenic and cyanide are some of the substances that were liberally used in the past and still in use in the
industry today.
To be fair to the Canadian company, they are being encouraged by the federal government to develop the region’s mining potential. Policy makers in
Mexico City are focused on economic problems at the national level and often give little thought to local concerns. That is how these types of
conflicts between local and national/international interests happen. The federal government wants to put in play as many potential sources of revenue
as it can to generate a greater GNP and, more importantly to some, employment in a nation with a severe unemployment problem.
The government of BCS’s thinking is that they want to encourage “sustainable” development, which in these parts is a catchphrase for “tourism
development.” Local government officials are aware of the devastating effects mine contamination would have for such development.
This is certainly not the last word in this conflict.
Interesting that the gold mining done in Alaska now (that we see on TV's Gold Rush) uses no 'arsenic and cyanide'... I wonder why the Canadian company
would?
very different mining methods, that's why.
mtgoat666 - 2-25-2012 at 12:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Interesting that the gold mining done in Alaska now (that we see on TV's Gold Rush) uses no 'arsenic and cyanide'... I wonder why the Canadian company
would?
dk: don't confuse placer mining and hard rock mining. AK gold mining you watch on TV is mostly placer (i assume, i don't know what show you watch).
the gold mining proposed in baja is hard rock, requiring leaching to extract gold from crushed ore.
p.s. placer mining historically used a lot of mercury to capture small grain gold from placer, caused it's own problems in places.David K - 2-25-2012 at 12:32 PM
Yah, I suppose... but if the choice comes to use water to seperate the gold from the other rock and sand instead of Mercury, Arsenic and Cyanide
(which are all 'natural' products of Mother Earth)... then you would think they would use placer mining techniques? Maybe the volume of water isn't
available.
The gold mine 40 miles north of San Felipe (La Fortuna) is either using the harsh chemicals or they get enough water from the well in Arroyo Grande
via that miles long pipeline?
