It is deeply disappointing to hear that the Chilean government has approved the environmental permit for the $3 billion extension of Anglo-American's Los Bronces mining project. This decision completely disregards the concerns raised by environmentalists and social groups regarding the long-term impact on the nearby glacier and the water supply in the Andes Mountains, near the Chilean capital.
Despite being initially rejected by the Environmental Assessment Service, the British mining company Anglo-American continued to seek approval for the Los Bronces copper mine. And now, a committee of government ministers has granted the permit based on the "demanding" environmental conditions proposed by the company. This decision not only shows a complete lack of concern for the environment but also undermines the democratic process of evaluating environmental assessments.
This mining project is terrible news for the planet as it is set in an area of crucial importance - the glaciers that are the source of the Mapocho River's basins. The project involves drilling a subterranean tunnel, not only behind these glaciers but also behind the Yerba Loca national reserve. This directly affects the sources and reserves of water for the eastern area of the capital and the Mapocho River basin, and has the potential to cause significant damage to biodiversity. This is not to mention the potential for an even greater impact on air quality in the region, as seen with the previous operation of Los Bronces and the Codelco Andina Division.
And obviously what is worrying, is the immediate contradiction with the environmental commitment made by the government of Gabriel Boric to protect water, glaciers, and quality of life, and ensure a just transition for large urban centers. Endangering water supply, air quality, and biodiversity in one of the country's most important population centers is not a minor political decision, and it goes against Chile's own climate commitments. This is a reckless and irresponsible decision that will have severe consequences for the environment and the people of Chile.
https://reuters.com/world/americas/anglo-americans-los-bronces-project-granted-environmental-permit-2023-04-18/
https://www.greenpeace.org/chile/noticia/greenpeace/greenpeace-por-aprobacion-de-proyecto-minero-los-bronces-integrado/
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Greed will be the end of us
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People over profit always, we must be mindful of our planet more than the profits we make by extracting minerals on the ground
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@mc_kaka #peopleoverprofits
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This is crazy atrocity to nature and should be highly condemned
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@peter_kamau I agree
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this is bad
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Disappointing! Wrong decision! This will only bring harm to the people, biodiversity and our planet
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@elizbeth_gathigia true
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@elizbeth_gathigia sad