Governer of Mendoza Halts all Mining Permits

Governer of Mendoza Halts all Mining Permits

Tuesday September 6, 2005

By Federico Brusotti, Los Andes newspaper

Mendoza - For the next three months the government of the Province of Mendoza will not issue permits for prospecting and exploration of mining projects. During this period it will try to unify environmental and economic legislation on levels both national and provincial. The goal is to seek a common strategy to link controls and oversight of mining with the management of economic activities related to natural resources. In this way, the government will try to reduce the social pressure building among the residents of San Carlos, who the past Sunday carried out a massive demonstration in opposition to a mining project located in the Papagayos region.

This ruling means that mining company Depromin (subsidiary of Swiss-Canadian mining company Tenke) must suspend their intent to explore in Papagayos for some months. Papagayos, an area with potential gold and copper deposits, is located in the headwaters of the important waterways which irrigate the region of the Uco valley.

Minister of Economy Laura Montero indicated that the idea is to "generate a mining industry in Mendoza which takes into account the desires of the people of Mendoza." She also recognized that there have been experiences of mining projects using inappropriate techniques which caused contamination, resulting in the fact that the people now harbor deep fears towards mining projects.