This article discusses the recent setbacks placed on the Pascua-Lama
mines, located high in the Andes on the Chile- Argentinean boarders, by the
Chilean court. The mine was supposed to
one of the largest and lowest-cost gold mines in the world though it is now
facing a more costly battle in order to try and complete it. The reason for the setback has to do with the
indigenous people claiming that the project is hurting their water supplies and
claim (along with environmental groups in Argentina) that the project would
harm the glaciers that remain in the Andes Mountains. According to the article this is a large
problem for Chile as it depended heavily on its mines, being the world’s top
copper producer. However, Chile’s mining
companies while productive, have not kept up with regulations and could all
face lawsuits and problems which could give environmentalists a better chance
at gaining ground against the companies.
This was an okay article.
The article could have had more of an impact on the subject if they mentioned
more on how exactly mining effects the local landscape (which is a lot). It also only briefly mentioned peoples
concerns focusing more on the problems of the businessman rather than what the
real public opinion was of the mines. It
did however point out some good information on how Chile would suffer without
the mines and showed some good insight on how even though we want to try and
protect the environment from destruction, a countries economy may suffer
because of it especially if it starts to lose its most important revenue.
forgot to initially post time
somewhere around 2:35 pm April 12
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