Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Indignant Over Mining Project

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BUENOS AIRES, Mar 29 2009 (IPS) - Residents of Andalgalá, in the northwestern Argentine province of Catamarca, are preparing a national protest against the approval of a mining project they say will hurt their water supply and the environment. The group Neighbors for the Life of Andalgalá is fighting the exploitation of a 730-million-ton bed of gold, copper and molybdenum in Agua Rica, 25 kilometers from their town, held by the Canada-based Yamana Gold.

Patricia Figueroa told Tierramérica that the residents are requesting a copy of the approved studies and convening a national protest in April with environmental and community organizations opposed to large mining projects.

The company had warned this month that it would begin layoffs in April if the environmental impact study was not approved. Two days later, the government gave the green light, which the neighbors say was granted under pressure from the mining firm.