Latin American update - Ayabaca: Acuerdan Consulta Vecinal por Proyecto Minero Río Blanco pa
Published by MAC on 2007-07-14
Latin American update - Ayabaca: Acuerdan Consulta Vecinal por Proyecto Minero Río Blanco para el 30 setiembre
14th July 2007
The strike at Chilean miner Codelco is turning violent as the workers' frustration is building, and strike action has spread to the Collahuasi copper mine. Also in Chile, the community of Cancosa has promised to rehabilitate a wetland it claims has been dried out by the BHP Billiton subsidiary, Cerro Colorado Mining Company.
In Peru, protests have accompanied the setting of the date for the public consultation regarding the acceptance or rejection of the Río Blanco mining project.
Open cast coal-mining in Zulia State, Venezuela, is affecting water and air quality, according to an assessment by the Environment Ministry.
In Colombia, BHP Billiton faces an investigation by the OECD into its possible role in the forced eviction of the population of Tabaco, that was then bulldozed to make way for the El Cerrejon coalmine.
In Brazil, a subsidiary of Canadian firm, Kinross Gold Corp. has been accused of ‘squeezing out’ local communities, who are primarily made up of ex-slaves.
Miningwatch Canada has written letters defending itself against attacks over its support for indigenous communities in Ecuador. Also in Ecuador, the president of the Community Development Council has asked the local District Attorney to investigate Ascendant Copper Corporation over death threats he has received.