Permits Denied for Mining Exploration in San Carlos - Mendoza

Permits Denied for Mining Exploration in San Carlos - Mendoza

Thursday September 1, 2005

By Federico Silvapintos, Los Andes newspaper

Mendoza, Argentina - Despite an intense snow which fell throughout the Uco Valley, more than 900 people met in the Club La Consulta to hear the position of the Executive Provincial Board regarding mining explorations which has provoked fears and worries throughout the region: Papagallos proyect, of mining company Depromin (Desarrollo de Prospectos Mineros), subsidiary of Canadian Tenke Mining Corporation (Lundin Group). The Minister of Government, Gabriel Fidel, accompanied by the Subsecretary of Environment Gustabo Morgani, declared that exploration of the mining project in the Papagayos region would be halted. Residents of the region, who had carried out a regional assembly the week before, considered this as a temporary response, and will continue with the actions they have already planned until there is a concrete solution to the problem.

Fidel said that "we have come here to show our good faith. I assure you that Governor Cobos has asked me to reaffirm what he has already told you. Nothing is going to be carried out if there is not approval of the people of San Carlos. This project will not advance because the government agrees with you all."