Environmental organizations in Argentina are demanding the enactment of a law to protect the country's glaciers from large-scale mining. Greenpeace, the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN) and the Wildlife Foundation, among other groups, sent letters to the nation's senators, who on Sep. 8 will vote on a bill already approved by the Chamber of Deputies.

According to the letter, the bill has “all the elements to establish an effective regime of protection… and the essential tools” so that the mining companies preserve glaciers, an important reserve of freshwater.

The situation is “difficult,” because the position of some lawmakers remains unknown. That is why the environmental groups decided to “exert pressure” so that the bill is passed this month, FARN activist Federico Sangalli told Tierramérica.