Latin American Update
Published by MAC on 2006-05-04
Latin American Update
4th May 2006
Belgium-based ethical investment campaign, Netwerk Vlaanderen , has just issued a press dossier (see attachment) condemning the activities of UK_based Monterrico Metals in northwestern Peru.
Mining in Brazil once again comes under the spotlight, as a respected NGO condemns its eonrachment on Amazonia. President Lula has stopped smallscale miners from re-entering the Seirra Pelada mine.
Canadian church group, KAIROS, calls for the withdrawal of Metallica Resources from Mexico, claiming it is violating national law.
"Disinvest from Monterrico Metals"
Press Release: Netwerk Vlaanderen, Belgium
2nd May 2006
British mining company involved in human rights violations
The British mining company Monterrico Metals owns the Rio Blanco copper/molybdenum deposit, located in Northern Peru. Rio Blanco will become Peru's second largest copper mine. The project threatens farmers and biodiversity. Confrontations with the police close to the mining site resulted in casualities on two occasions. The AXA group is the largest investor in Monterric Metals. According to Netwerk Vlaanderen, institutional investors that respect bacic human rights in their investment policy should disinvest from Monterrico Metals.
Monterrico Metals plc is a London based resource development company that operates exclusively in Peru. Monterrico Metals owns 100% of Minera Majaz SA which owns the Rio Blanco copper/molybdenum deposit (Rio Blanco) located in Northern Peru. Rio Blanco has enough resources to become the country's second largest copper mine, after a planned 2008 start date.
Thousands of local peasants are fiercely opposed to the Rio Blanco copper mine. They demand that Monterrico Metals stops all activities in the region. Mining will contaminate the rivers and make impossible the agricultural activities on which the rural inhabitants rely for their daily survival. In addition, the mining in the Andean Forests puts unique species, such as the mountain tapir, at risk. Open pit mining has a negative image in Peru. Since 2004 thousands of peasants have protested against Monterrico Metals. Confrontations with the police close to the Rio Blanco site resulted in casualties on two occasions. In April 2004, Reemberto Herrera Racho was shot by the police during a demonstration. At the end of July 2005 confrontations with the police resulted in the death of Melanio García Gonzales and 40 wounded.
Monterrico Metals violates human rights in its sphere of influence as it:
- Carries out a project without approval from affected communities. The local mayors signed the Jaén declaration to ask the ending of the mining project. Amnesty International mentions that the Rio Blanco project is in conflict with ILO convention 169, so long as there is no adequate consultation process.
- Fuelled the conflict between police and demonstrators, by spreading false allegations against the peasant movements. The conflict has resulted in two deaths.
- Participated in violent acts. On 12/03/2006 Raúl Urbina, Social Responsibility Manager for Monterrico Metals led a violent attack on a peaceful forum on mining and sustainable development in the city of Huancabamba. The attack resulted in several injured persons.
Monterrico Metals' Rio Blanco project is actually in conflict with the ILO convention 169 and the UN norms for business. Institutional investors that respect basic human rights in their investment policy, should disinvest from Monterrico Metals until the company stops its activities at the Rio Blanco site.
Monterrico Metals main institutional shareholders are AXA Framlington Investment Management (9.79 %), F&C Investments (9.13%), Lehman Brothers International (6.01%) and Amvescap plc (4.94%).
Netwerk Vlaanderen vzw is an Belgian NGO that promotes an environmentally and socially responsible approach to money. Netwerk Vlaanderen is a member of Banktrack, an international coalition for sustainability in the financial sector.
The information in this press release is based on a research report : Press dossier Monterrico Metals published by Netwerk Vlaanderen
Mining Exploration Causing Alarm in Protected Areas of Brazil
20th April 2006
BRAZIL- Adital - A publication of the Socioenvironmental Institute (Instituto Socioambiental, or ISA) has shown that the pressure of mining companies is one of the gravest threats to the integrity of plant life of the the forests of the region, including protected areas. The creation of Conservation Unities (Unidades of Conservación, or UC) in Amazonia, according to the report, is one of the most important projects of environmental protection of the Lula government, and of the almost 80 million hectacres which exist in the federal UCs today, some 15 million hectacres were created by decrees signed by the President. However, a large part of these areas are not really protected from one of the economic activities of highest environmental impact: Mining. According to information obtained from the Mining Registry, maintained by the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM), the investigation reveals that of 40,144 mining claims in Amazonia, 5,283 are in Federal UCs and 88 in State UCs.
Furthermore, of the total number of valid mining claims in the DNPM, 406 are under exploration or exploitation in 32 Unities of Conservation of Integral Protection and in 23 Extractive Reserves (Resex), where mining activity is not permitted. Another 571 claims are under exploration or exploitation in 33 UCs of Sustainable Use, mainly in National and State Protected Forests, in which mining activity is to be strictly controlled.
Urgent Action: Support the Mexican community of Cerro de San Pedro in their struggle against a Canadian-run mine
Statement from KAIROS, Canada: http://www.kairoscanada.org
28th April 2006
Summary
The Mexican community of Cerro de San Pedro has been struggling for ten years to stop an open-pit cyanide-leach gold mine owned by Canadian company Metallica Resources Inc. Mexican courts have ruled in favour of this UNESCO World Heritage-nominated community, located in a fragile semi-desert. Yet the Mexican government refuses to enforce the court rulings and prohibit Metallica Inc. from going forward. Currently, the Canadian government has no power to apply binding environmental or human rights standards to Canadian corporations operating overseas. The mining operation continues, and so community members have been forced to peacefully block mining equipment. However, they were met with a violent response.
Please take a moment in solidarity with the community to ask our government to take action on this matter.
Background
One year after the 1994 implementation of NAFTA, Canadian mining company Metallica Resources Inc. arrived in the community of Cerro de San Pedro, San Luis Potosi, Mexico with plans to establish an open pit gold and silver mine through its wholly owned subsidiary Minera San Xavier (MSX). Local residents soon learned that the proposed operation would irreparably harm their 400-year old town, which is one signature short of being recognized as a UNESCO heritage site, as well as flatten the nearby hill (Cerro), a state symbol that appears on their coat of arms. Moreover, the company's own environmental impact assessment revealed that the proposed operation would displace the population, cause irreparable damage to the environment and leach harmful cyanide into the water supply of the 1.5 million inhabitants in the surrounding area. In response to these alarming impacts, the community, local environmental and human rights groups, and the authentic communal landowners formed the Broad Opposition Front (FAO), a broad-based coalition determined to stop Metallica from destroying their homes, village and environment.
For over ten years, the community and the FAO have been engaged in a legal battle with Metallica Resource Inc. The courts have consistently handed down judgments in favour of the community and FAO. There is an extremely important state decree, dated September 23, 1993, that clearly recognizes Cerro de San Pedro and the surrounding area as a protected site because of the unique flora and fauna in the region. The decree outlaws any activity that would lead to changes in the subsoil, including preparatory blasting for mining. In February 2006 the courts annulled Metallica's temporary permit to use explosives because the permit clearly contravenes this state decree.
Shockingly, Metallica Resources Inc. has ignored these rulings and gone ahead with blasting and other preparatory measures, in complete violation of Mexican law. Furthermore, Mexican authorities at all levels of government have demonstrated a complete lack of political will to enforce the law.
KAIROS accompaniment
In March 2005, at the request of human rights partners and the Broad Opposition Front (FAO), a KAIROS church leaders delegation traveled to the community of Cerro de San Pedro. The church leaders were the first Canadian non-mining delegation to visit the community. Delegates heard testimonies of the considerable risks associated with the cyanide leaching process that is estimated to use 32 million litres of water, 16 tons of cyanide and 25 tons of explosives daily.
In April 2005 KAIROS invited Ana Maria Alvarado, a Cerro de San Pedro and FAO community leader, to Canada to speak to Canadians and the government about the impacts of Metallica Resources Inc. on her community. Since then KAIROS has closely accompanied the community's struggle responding whenever possible to local developments.
Once again, Ana Maria Alvarado joined KAIROS in a KAIROS forum on Resource Extraction and Impacts on Local Communities during April 2006. While in Canada, KAIROS accompanied her to Ottawa where she met with members of parliament and government departments around the need for affected communities to be active participants of any roundtable process that discusses Canadian mining in developing countries.
During this recent visit, we learned from Ana Maria how Metallica Resources Inc. continues to blast land in preparation for its operations, in clear contravention of Mexican law.
Recent developments
KAIROS learned that although the law is clearly on the community's side, the Mexican authorities continue to be unwilling to enforce the law. Given this reality, the FAO and community members feel they have no choice but to begin civil disobedience in order to physically stop the mining operation by peacefully placing themselves in the path of Metallica's machinery.
Disturbingly, this peaceful resistance has been met with violence.
FAO members attacked
On April 14, employees of Minera San Xavier (MSX) reportedly attacked two members of the FAO. Enrique Rivera Sierra, FAO's lawyer, was repeatedly struck on the head. Witnesses heard his assailants shout, "let's see if you continue speaking against Minera San Xavier, my boss will be very happy with my work and if you continue talking, you are going to die.".
Other FAO members have been charged with defamation, invasion and delinquency in an effort to criminalize their legitimate right to protest and resist.
KAIROS is extremely concerned about these recent incidents and the ongoing activities of Metallica Resources Inc. in contravention of Mexican law and international human rights and environmental standards and agreements.
Canadian Roundtable process on Mining
As we write this urgent action the Canadian government and various stakeholders are about to embark on a roundtable dialogue on mining. The Metallica case demonstrates the need for Canada to implement binding obligations for Canadian corporations working abroad. Binding, rather than voluntary, legislation ensures accountability to Canada's own standards regarding consent of the communities affected, as well as respect for and compliance with human rights and environmental standards.
KAIROS letter
In response to this situation, KAIROS and other Canadian groups who met with Ana Maria Alvarado during her recent visit have written a letter expressing concern about the escalating situation in Cerro de San Pedro as Canadian Metallica Resources operates in contravention of the law:
Grave concern about the activities of Canadian mining company Metallica Resources Inc. in Mexico
Joint letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay and Minister of International Trade David Emerson
28th April 2006
The Honourable Peter MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Fax: (613) 992 -2337
The Honourable David Emerson
Minister of International Trade
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Fax: (613) 943-0219
Dear Minister MacKay and Minister Emerson:
We write to you as a group of Canadian NGOs, churches and unions who are concerned about the human rights and ecological impacts of Canadian mining companies in Canada and abroad. We are writing to express grave concern about the activities of Canadian mining company Metallica Resources Inc, through its wholly owned subsidiary Minera San Xavier (MSX), and the negative impact these activities are having on the rights and safety of the historic community of Cerro de San Pedro, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
During her recent visit to Canada (April 3-10, 2006), we had the opportunity to meet with Ana Maria Alvarado, a member of the community of Cerro de San Pedro and representative of the Broad Opposition Front (FAO). Ms. Alvarado spoke at a forum in Toronto on Resource Extraction and Local Communities. Accompanied by KAIROS, she then went to Ottawa where she met with MPs, FAC, CIDA, and other government departments involved in the roundtable process that is looking at the impacts of Canadian mining in developing countries
Specifically, Ms. Alvarado testified how plans to establish an open pit gold mine in her community would, in fact, destroy historic 17th century landmarks, displace the population, cause irreparable damage to the environment and leach harmful cyanide into the water supply of 1.5 million inhabitants in the surrounding area. She described the considerable risks to the environment and the community of a process that will use 32 million litres of water, 16 tons of cyanide and 25 tons of explosives on a daily basis. Moreover, she testified that Metallica is doing all this in contravention of Mexican law.
For over ten years, the community and the Broad Opposition Front (FAO) have been engaged in a legal battle with Metallica Resource Inc. The courts have consistently handed down judgments in favour of the community and FAO. Most recently (Feb 2006), the courts annulled Metallica's temporary permit to use explosives as it contravenes a state decree recognizing Cerro de San Pedro and the surrounding area as a protected site due to the unique flora and fauna in the area. Yet, Metallica Resources Inc. has gone ahead with blasting and other operations, in complete violation of Mexican law. Furthermore, Mexican authorities at all levels of government have demonstrated a complete lack of political will to enforce the law.
Although the law is clearly on the community's side, the Mexican authorities are not willing to enforce the law. Thus, while she was in Canada, Ms. Alvarado spoke of how, having no other recourse, the FAO and community members have begun to try to physically stop the mining operation by peacefully placing themselves in the path of Metallica's machinery.
On April 14, employees of Minera San Xavier reportedly attacked two members of the FAO. Enrique Rivera Sierra, FAO's lawyer, was repeatedly struck on the head. Witnesses heard his assailants shout, "let's see if you continue speaking against Minera San Xavier, my boss will be very happy with my work and if you continue talking, you are going to die.".
We are extremely concerned about these recent incidents. Canada urgently needs to exert diplomatic pressure on Mexican authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial and full investigation into these attacks and to bring those responsible to justice. The safety and integrity of Enrique Rivera Sierra and other FAO members must be guaranteed along with their legitimate right to protest.
Given the gravity of this situation, we request that the Canadian Ambassador travel immediately to Cerro de San Pedro to investigate how Metallica Resources Inc., a Canadian company, continues to operate in direct contravention of Mexican law. Internationally, Canada has a reputation as a champion of human rights and as a global citizen. Surely, the Canadian government does not want Canadian companies to undermine Canadian values and tarnish Canada's global image. A visit to Cerro de San Pedro and a meeting with community members would signal Canadian support for this community that is simply asking that the law be respected. The Canadian Ambassador did visit Cerro de San Pedro on May 2, 2005, shortly after Ms Alvarado's first trip to Canada. We think there is an urgent need for the Ambassador to travel to meet with the community again.
As we write this letter, the Canadian government and various stakeholders are about to embark on a roundtable process on mining. The Metallica case demonstrates the need for Canada to implement binding obligations for Canadian corporations working abroad. Binding legislation ensures accountability to Canada's own standards regarding consent of the communities affected, as well as the respect for human rights and environmental standards. We do not believe that the Canadian government would support the activities of a Canadian company that is violating both international standards and norms, and Mexican law. Yet, that is what clearly appears to be happening in Mexico as the present voluntary mechanisms and norms regulating the activities of Canadian mining companies have not been effective in this case. We call on the Canadian government to support legislation based on Canada's obligations under international human rights and environmental agreements.
We look forward to hearing what measures Canada will take to ensure that Metallica Resources Inc, as a Canadian company operating abroad, is accountable to the Canadian government and all Canadians.
We anxiously await your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Corkery
Executive Director,
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Bruce Cox
Executive Director,
GREENPEACE
Roy Culpeper
President and CEO,
The North-South Institute
Joan Kuyek
National Coordinator,
MiningWatch Canada
Doug Olthuis
Executive Director,
Steelworkers Humanity Fund
Fraser Reilly-King
Coordinator,
Halifax Initiative Coalition
Mike Shields,
Director, International Department
CAW- Canada
Cc Catherine Bell, NDP fax: 613-996-3306
Roy Cullen, Liberal fax: 613-995-8359
Peter Julian, NDP fax: 613-947-9500
Francine Lalonde, BQ fax: 613-996-5173
Lawrence Macaulay, Liberal fax: 613-995-2754
Alexa McDonough, NDP fax: 613-992-8569
Dan McTeague, Liberal fax 613-993-6587
Pierre Paquette, BQ fax: 613-995-2818
Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal fax: 613-992-1710
Ambassador Gaëtan Lavertu fax: (52-55) 5724-7985
Please write letters to Canadian Foreign Minister, the Honorable Peter MacKay, copied to the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, the Mexican Embassy in Canada, the community residents, and KAIROS:
Request that the Canadian government exert diplomatic pressure on Mexican authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial and full investigation into recent attacks on Enrique Rivera Sierra and to bring those responsible to justice. Urge them to ensure that the safety and integrity of Enrique Rivera Sierra and all FAO members is guaranteed, along with their legitimate right to protest.
Given the gravity of the situation, demand that the Canadian government take action and directly intervene in order to stop Metallica Resources Inc., a Canadian company from operating in contravention of Mexican law. Because of Metallica's action, Canada's reputation in Mexico is being tarnished. The government has stated that if Canadian companies abroad do not uphold Canadian values and act as good corporate citizens, they are committed to taking action. Urge them to do so.
In the context of the roundtable process on mining, call on the Canadian government to adopt binding legislation for Canadian corporations operating abroad based on Canada's existing obligations under international human rights and environmental agreements.
Send letters to:
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-6022
Fax: (613) 992-2337
E-Mail: Mackay.P@parl.gc.ca
Please CC:
Canadian Ambassador in Mexico
Ambassador Gaetan Lavertu,
Canadian Embassy in Mexico
Schiller 529
Col. Polanco
11560 Mexico, District Federal
TEL: (5255) 5724-7900
FAX: (5255) 5724-7985
email: gaetan.lavertu@international.gc.ca
Mexican Ambassador in Canada
Ambassador Maria Teresa Garcia Segovia de Madero
Embassy of Mexico in Canada
45 O'Connor Street, Suite 1000
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 1A4
TEL. (613) 233 8988
FAX (613) 235 9123
Email: Antonieta@embamexcan.com
Frente Amplio Opositor (FAO)
Fax: (52) 444 8 22 75 40
Email: megadial199@msn.com
Gold rush in Pará postponed by the government
Source: Correio Braziliense
Link: http://www.correioweb.com.br/
20th April 2006
Charges of irregularities in the mining cooperative and death threats have led President Lula to indefinitely suspend the reopening of Serra Pelada
The federal government is indefinitely postponing the permit to allow smallscale miners from Serra Pelada to return to gold prospecting in the underground mine located in southeastern Pará. Reason: a meeting held last Sunday with 10,000 miners decided to remove Sebastião Curió and his political allies from the executive board of the Claim Mining Cooperative of Serra Pelada (Coomigasp). There are charges of irregularities within the cooperative. Mayor of the municipality of Curionopolis, Curió has refused to accept the decision and has threatened to murder the incoming board of the cooperative.
Yesterday, the president of the Claim Miners Union of Serra Pelada, Raimundo Benigno Pereira, sent correspondence to the Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, alerting him to the rising tension in the claim mining area. Benigno says he is receiving death threats and filed charges with the police and at the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. "I received a phone call saying that there were three gunmen looking for me here in Brasilia", he said. According to Benigno, Curió himself made the threats personally. Correio Braziliense was unable to reach the mayor for him to defend himself of the accusations, despite having left messages on his mobile phone.
With this tense climate, the operating permit that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was to personally deliver to the claim miners 30 days from now has been postponed. The government believes that the permit will only be granted after the tense climate in the area improves. Forecasts are that things will improve after the 42,000 claim miners in the union participate in an election to appoint new directors. "Lula is personally interested in this election because he wants to make the return to the gold rush in Serra Pelada into an election event", analyzes claim miner Edmar Ventura.
The document left by the miners with the Ministry of Justice highlights that Sebastião Curió would never accept defeat peacefully. "This time it was no different, his group closed down the cooperative building, took the vehicles and all funds raised the last few months", accuses Benigno. In the correspondence, the union leader states that miners are being persecuted and are having their lives threatened by gunmen hired by Sebastião Curió. Claim miners request a task force in Serra Pelada to avoid killings in the mining area.
The government has plenty of reason to worry about the situation in Serra Pelada. In the 1990s, soon after the mine was closed down, the mining area literally became a mine field. When large nuggets were discovered at the bottom of a lake, miners divided into two groups and disputed power within the union. The struggle resulted in three killings, including that of the union president, Antônio Clênio Cunha Lemos, executed in 1998. The gunman who shot him said in a statement that he had been hired by Curió, who denied any involvement.
No invierta en Monterrico Metals
3 de mayo de 2006
Por Mathias Bienstman, Netwerk Vlaanderen
http://www.netwerkvlaanderen.be
Summary and translation: FactorTierra Network
La campaña belga de inversiones con ética, Netwerk Vlaanderen, ha enviado una nota de prensa con un paquete de documentos condenando las actividades de Monterrico Metals en el noroeste del Perú. Aquí el comunicado de prensa anunciando los hallazgos del informe.
La empresa minera británica Monterrico Metals posee el yacimiento de cobre/molibdeno Río Blanco, localizado en el norte del Perú. Río Blanco llegará a ser la segunda mayor mina de cobre del Perú. El proyecto amenaza a campesinos y la biodiversidad.
Las confrontaciones con la policía cerca del sitio de la mina han dejado víctimas fatales en dos ocasiones: en abril de 2004, Reemberto Herrera Racho fue impactado de bala por la policía durante una protesta. A finales de julio de 2005, confrontaciones con la policía resultaron en la muerte de Melanio García González, y unos 40 heridos.
El grupo AXA es el mayor inversionista de Monterrico Metals. De acuerdo con Netwerk Vlaanderen, los inversionistas institucionales que respetan los derechos humanos básicos en sus políticas de inversión, deberían no invertir en Monterrico Metals.
Monterrico Metals es una compañía de desarrollo de recursos ubicada en Londres, que opera exclusivamente en Perú. Monterrico Metals posee la totalidad de Minera Majaz que, a su vez, posee el yacimiento Río Blanco, que tiene recursos suficientes para llegar a ser la segunda mina de cobre más grande del país, tras un inicio previsto para 2008.
Miles de campesinos locales se oponen tenazmente a la mina de cobre Río Blanco. Ellos piden que Monterrico Metals pare todas sus actividades en la región. La minería contaminará los ríos y hará imposible las actividades agrícolas de las que los habitantes rurales dependen para su diario sustento. Adicionalmente, la minería en los Bosques [de Neblina] Andinos pone a especies en riesgo, como el tapir de montaña. La minería a tajo abierto tiene una imagen negativa en el Perú. Desde 2004, miles de campesinos han protestado contra Monterrico Metals.
Monterrico Metals viola los derechos humanos en su esfera de influencia de esta forma:
- Lleva adelante el proyecto sin aprobación de las comunidades afectadas. Los alcaldes locales firmaron la Declaración de Jaén para pedir la finalización del proyecto minero. Amnistía Internacional menciona que el proyecto Río Blanco entra en conflicto con la convención 169 de la OIT, tanto que no hay adecuados procesos de consulta.
- Impulsa el conflicto entre la policía y los manifestantes, acusando falsamente al movimiento campesino. El conflicto ha terminado en dos muertes.
- Participó en actos violentos. El 12 de marzo de 2006 el Gerente de Responsabilidad Social de Monterrico Metals, Raúl Urbina, dirigió un ataque violento contra un foro pacífico sobre minería y desarrollo sostenible en la ciudad de Huancabamba. El ataque resultó en varias personas heridas.
El proyecto Río Blanco de Monterrico Metals está, de hecho, en conflicto con la Convención 169 de la OIT y las normas de la ONU para hacer negocios. Inversionistas institucionales que respeten los derechos humanos fundamentales en sus políticas de inversión, deberían no invertir en Monterrico Metals hasta que la empresa pare sus actividades en Río Blanco.
Los accionistas institucionales principales de Monterrico Metals son AXA Framlington Investment Management (9.79%), F&C Investments (9.13%), Lehman Brothers International (6.01) y Amvescap plc (4.94%).
Netwerk Vlaanderen es una ONG belga que promueve un acercamiento al dinero medioambiental y socialmente responsable. Netwerk Vlaanderen es miembro de Banktrack, una coalición internacional para la sostenibilidad en el sector financiero.
Alarma ante explotación minera en áreas protegidas de Brasil
20.04.06 - BRASIL
Adital - Una publicación del Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) muestra que la presión de las empresas mineras es una de las mayores amenazas para la integridad de la floresta, incluso en áreas protegidas. Las Unidades de Conservación (UCs) en la Amazonia, para la entidad, es una de las principales políticas de protección ambiental del Gobierno de Lula para la región, ya que de los casi 80 millones de hectáreas existentes en UCs federales de la Amazonia brasileña, 15 millones fueron creados en decretos firmados por el actual presidente.
Una investigación conducida por el ISA, sin embargo, revela que buena parte de estas áreas no están realmente protegidas de una de las actividades económicas de mayor impacto ambiental: la minería. A partir de informaciones obtenidas del Registro Minero, mantenido por el Departamento Nacional de Producción Mineral (DNPM), la investigación, lanzada el último martes 18, indica que de los 40.144 expedientes existentes en la Amazonia Legal, 5.283 inciden en UCs federales y 880 en UCs estatales.
Además del total de los expedientes de minería válidos en el DNPM, 406 ya están bajo investigación o en explotación en 32 Unidades de Conservación de Protección Integral y en 23 Reservas Extractivistas (Resex), donde no está permitida la actividad minera. Otros 571 procesos están bajo investigación o en explotación en 33 UCs de Uso Sustentable, principalmente en Florestas Nacionales y Estatales, en las cuales la actividad está condicionada a una serie de requisitos.
Mientras que la legislación ambiental prohíbe expresamente el uso directo de los recursos naturales en Unidades de Conservación de Protección Integral y lo condiciona, en UCs de Uso Sustentable, a la categoría de conservación, de la división por áreas y/o planes de manejo, las 88 UCs de la Amazonia bajo investigación o explotación de empresas mineras pueden estar siendo alteradas por una serie de actividades de alto impacto ambiental.
Entre las principales: la emisión de residuos gaseosos, líquidos y sólidos, la polución sonora, el transporte de residuos, minerales y equipamientos, infraestructura vial y de energía, tráfico de vehículos de gran porte, como camiones, escavadoras y helicópteros, campamentos, apertura de picadas, trincheras, pozos, senderos, cuencas y depósitos de desechos, construcción de edificios, viviendas y circulación de trabajadores, explosiones, excavaciones, supresión de cobertura vegetal, refinamiento de minerales, intervenciones en áreas de preservación permanente, en lugares de protección de fauna nativa, y la supresión de vegetación de uso tradicional por poblaciones locales.
La investigación sobre los intereses mineros de la Amazonia es una de las actividades del Programa Monitoreo de Áreas Protegidas del ISA que viene siendo realizada hace 20 años. El ISA ya envió, el lunes 17, una carta al presidente del Instituto Brasileño de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales Renovables (Ibama), Marcus Barros, solicitando la anulación de 337 procesos de minería que inciden en Unidades de Conservación (UCs) federales en la Amazonia.
LINKS:
ISA solicita a anulação de títulos minerários em unidades de conservação federais
http://www.socioambiental.org/nsa/detalhe?id=2242
ISA lança Mineração em Unidades de Conservação na Amazônia brasileira
http://www.socioambiental.org/nsa/detalhe?id=2237
DETENGAMOS A LA MINERA SAN XAVIER
http://www.angelfire.com/rebellion2/antimsx/boletin4.htm
14 de abril del 2006
BOLETÍN DE PRENSA
El día de hoy 14 de abril del año 2006, uno de los asesores legales del FRENTE AMPLIO OPOSITOR y coordinador de las acciones de resistencia civil del movimiento, el C. LIC. RICARDO ENRIQUE RIVERA SIERRA, fue atacado por los empleados de la MSX, RAMÓN MÁRQUEZ MÁRQUEZ y ALAN CANEK MÁRQUEZ GUTIÉRREZ, por ordenes del Director de la Empresa Minera San Xavier JORGE MENDIZÁBAL ACEBO.
El abogado del FRENTE AMPLIO OPOSITOR, fue rociado con gas lacrimógeno cuando caminaba aproximadamente a las 14.45 horas por las calles del pueblo de Cerro de San Pedro por el C. ALAN CANEK MÁRQUEZ GUTIÉRREZ, al tiempo, el C. RAMÓN MARQUEZ MARQUEZ, gritaba, " Venimos de parte de la Minera San Xavier, para que dejes de hacer tus chingaderas ", comenzándolo a golpear con una lámpara en la cabeza en varias ocasiones. tumbándolo en el suelo agrediéndolo con los objetos contundentes en todo el cuerpo provocándole heridas en el cráneo. Al estar siendo atacado por el C. RAMÓN MÁRQUEZ MÁRQUEZ, según testigos, decía de manera clara: "a ver si sigues hablando en contra de la MINERA SAN XAVIER, mi jefe el C. JORGE MENDIZÁBAL ACEBO va estar muy contento de mi trabajo y si sigues hablando te vas a morir tu, el pinché MARIO MARTÍNEZ RAMOS y todos los pinches abogados del FAO", mientras que al mismo tiempo, el C. ALAN CANEK MÁRQUEZ GUTIÉRREZ, decía "vamos a matarlo de una vez, no hay pedo, la MINERA y nuestro patrón nos defiende."
En el momento que abogado se encontraba en el suelo, el C. ALAN CANEK MÁRQUEZ GUTIÉRREZ, saco un arma punzo cortante, diciéndole al C. RAMÓN MÁRQUEZ MÁRQUEZ, deténmelo, sin lograr su cometido toda vez que gente de la localidad llego en su auxilio.
Desde este momento, hacemos responsable al C. JORGE MENDIZABAL ACEBO, y/o los directivos de la Empresa Minera San Xavier de cualquier atentado, que sufran los miembros del FRENTE AMPLIO OPOSITOR, las acciones de la empresa cada vez son mas violentas y fuera de la Ley, pero no nos vamos a dejar.
DETENGAMOS A LA MINERA SAN XAVIER
http://www.angelfire.com/rebellion2/antimsx/boletin3.htm
11 de abril del 2006
BOLETÍN DE PRENSA
Nuevamente el día de hoy, integrantes del Frente Amplio Opositor a la Minera San Xavier, realizo acciones de resistencia Civil Pacifica en la Zona de Cerro de San Pedro, dichas acciones se realizaron en el centro de la localidad de Cuesta de Campa, toda vez que los trabajos que la empresa realiza en la zona, han destruido la cancha deportiva así como jardineras de la plaza principal, del poblado de mas de 400 años.
La importancia de dicha acción, radica en la denuncia que se hace del saqueo de arcilla de los estanques de la zona de El Divisadero, esto a través de engaños y bajo la amenaza de que si no acceden los pobladores serán demandados por la empresa Minera San Xavier.
Con esta actividad, el Frente Amplio Opositor evito que el saqueo continuara por el paso de mas de 30 camiones diarios desde hace mas de dos meses realiza la empresa minera Canadiense.
Finalmente los contingentes de los grupos CMAP, MPL, 3 de Agosto de Mexquitic, Colectivo Nuevo Huachichil, Frente en Defensa de los Derechos Laborales, se dirigieron a las puertas de la compañía Trasnacional para concluir la acción de resistencia