Barrick CEO meets with Bachelet to speed up Pascua Lama

(LA Terceda) Barrick Gold is making a strong attack in recent days to announce soon the date of its binational Pascua Lama project, which will involve an investment of around U.S. $ 3,000 million.

After the middle of last week the founder and manager of the mine up, Peter Munk, met with the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez, CEO Aaron Regent yesterday joined with the Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet.

Close to 18 hours yesterday and without telling the press, the senior executive of Barrick accompanied by Deputy Director of the company, José Antonio Urrutia, and Minister of Mining, Santiago González, met with Bachelet for about an hour.

And while the minister and the executives made statements to the output, government sources indicate that the visit is part of the senior executive in the last movement of the company before announcing the start of construction of the mining project Pascua Lama gold.

The idea was announced in September, with the assurance that in Chile and Argentina resolve differences and tax that have prevented the start of construction. In the coming days will meet again tax technicians from both countries in Buenos Aires to try to close the gap on the issue of taxation of cross-border services.

Government sources indicate that President Fernandez instructed his main tax authorities for this purpose.

Source / La Terceda

CHILE: Scientist Warns of Threats to Rock Glaciers

By Daniela Estrada





"A new government policy on glaciers adopted by Chile "is a step forward, but it doesn’t resolve all of the problems"

SANTIAGO, Apr 24 (IPS) - A new government policy on glaciers adopted by Chile "is a step forward, but it doesn’t resolve all of the problems," German geographer Alexander Brenning, who blames mining companies for threats to this South American country’s rock glaciers, told IPS.

An assistant professor of geography at the University of Waterloo in Canada, Brenning spoke with IPS after giving a lecture this week on the little-known rock glaciers to geology students at the University of Chile, who had specially invited him.

The expert drew attention in Chile last year after the results of studies he carried out were reported locally. His research in this country found that three large mining companies were affecting several square kilometres of rock glaciers by building roads and other infrastructure and piling sterile material on them.

Brenning specifically pointed his finger at the Andean Division of the state-run National Copper Corporation (CODELCO), the Los Bronces mine operated by the London-based Anglo American mining giant, and Los Pelambres, a Chilean mining company.

In his lecture Wednesday, Brenning explained that rock glaciers are important natural sources of frozen water that contribute to the availability of water supplies during the southern hemisphere summer. And they are threatened not only by mining operations, but by climate change as well, he said.

Under the top layer of rock, these glaciers are 40 to 60 percent ice, he said.

Because it takes thousands of years for rock glaciers to regenerate, and since they are unstable, moving several centimetres a year, building infrastructure on top of them is not recommendable, said Brenning.

Rock glaciers "are very difficult to study because they are not as easily identifiable as typical glaciers, which are white," he told IPS. "They are hard to detect and it is difficult to monitor their movement. This is a technological challenge for geomatics," the discipline of gathering, storing, analysing, interpreting, distributing and using geographic information.

Brenning, who combines analysis of satellite images with aerial photos and field work, believes rock glaciers are found mainly in central Chile, and that their total surface area is approximately 500 square kilometres.

According to his research, the three mining companies have affected 3.2 square kilometres of rock glacier, encompassing between 23 and 35 million cubic metres of water, over the last decade, he said, pointing out that part of that area was literally removed.

His research found that CODELCO removed 1.3 square kilometres by 2005, while Anglo American removed some 20 hectares.

Last year, the two companies responded to such reports by repeating once more that they had the necessary environmental permits to operate their mines – an argument that is questioned by Brenning.

Los Pelambres, in the meantime, denied that rock glaciers even existed.

As a result of global warming, South America’s glaciers, which are an important source of meltwater, are in fast retreat.

A new awareness of the need to protect glaciers in Chile has emerged since 2006, when the government of Ricardo Lagos (2000-2006) approved the environmental impact study of the Pascua Lama mine, owned by Canada’s Barrick Gold Corporation, which has been fought tooth and nail by environmentalists and local residents.

Construction of the mine, which straddles the border between Chile and Argentina in the Andes mountains, remains on hold.

The company initially planned to remove three glaciers on the Chilean side, in order to get to the minerals underneath them. But that plan was vetoed by Chilean authorities.

However, the glaciers have already been affected by the prospecting, according to different sources.

This and similar conflicts over mining projects, added to the retreat of glaciers around the world due to climate change, prompted the government to draft a policy for the protection and conservation of glaciers, which was finally approved on Apr. 14.

But some environmental organisations are demanding passage of a stricter law for the protection of glaciers, which remains stalled in parliament.

Although the administration of socialist President Michelle Bachelet argues that the government policy is easier and faster to implement than a law, environmentalists say it was the lobbying carried out by the mining corporations that tipped the balance of political support towards the first option.

While Brenning sees the new policy as "a step forward," he takes issue with several aspects. For example, it fails to specifically define what a rock glacier is, he said.

He also complains that it leaves the approval of projects that affect the glaciers in the hands of the environmental impact assessment system, which in his view has shown itself to be inefficient and ineffective in such cases.

He also questions the invocation of the so-called "higher interests of the nation."

The policy approved by the government this month says that "Although the policy states the need to preserve the glaciers, their appropriate management must be considered when the specific needs of the watershed so require, just as eventual interventions will be considered when required by the higher interests of the nation."

"Perhaps what should be considered is the creation of a policy on land use, to help concentrate these projects in certain areas and keep other areas free of mining," Brenning suggested.

"It worries me to see projects that in the future could affect areas high up in the mountains where glaciers and rock glaciers are found," he said.

He also said Chile should focus on awareness-raising and education among geologists, geographers, government officials and the general public, especially regarding rock glaciers, about which there is very little understanding.

"Rock glaciers are a hidden, little-known phenomenon. Even in the scientific world, there is very little literature on them. The Alps have been more closely studied," said Brenning.

The government policy on glaciers states that so far more than 3,100 glaciers have been identified in Chile, with a total estimated surface area of 20,188 square kilometres. Of that total, more than 15,000 square kilometres are made up of the North and South Patagonian Ice Fields.

The surface area that has not yet been mapped is estimated at 4,700 square kilometres of ice.

The policy also states that the majority of Chilean glaciers are retreating and have experienced losses in surface area and thickness in response to climate change.

"The retreat and thinning detected in Chile in the last 30 years have accelerated, to up to twice as fast in the last 10 years," it says.

Brenning is currently working on monitoring two rock glaciers located in the mountains around the Chilean capital, using instruments like GPS (global positioning system). (END/2009)

Fight Against Metal Mining

BOTH DEBATES
Fight to the total metal mining



At 9.30 began the 9th forum UAC was an impromptu press conference. The first answer was the Nobel prize, Pérez Esquivel, who emphasized that "it is possible that the president veto the law of glaciers, because we can live without oil, not gold, not cars, but we can not live without water. What World We leave to our children and grandchildren? predation or we accept the social resistance. "



Although Javier Rodríguez Pardo began his presentation by saying that very quiet and not against mining, "which I put the glasses come from mining," he said, but quickly cautioned that it fight opencast mining, which is used large mining to extract ore from low grade, ie low concentration and very scattered. "The minerals were exhausted and companies use extraction methods perverse exploitation, pollution and plundering," said pretty excited. Later he spoke of the reunion of Peter Munk, Barrick main shareholder, with President Cristina Kirchner, a few days ago, "this meeting was to ask the president to rush the Pascua Lama project, hence the question was asked about some weights and other weights demanded more, "he said without giving further details.

With the same tone, Marta Maffei noted that "it is not environment versus development, it is plunder vs environment, because development is a word, that is to grow, improve and distribute the resources."

Lucio Cuenca, the Chilean group OLCA said Barrick has already intervened in glaciers Toro 1, Toro 2 and Esperanza, near Easter, which have their counterpart in the Argentine side Lama. "There are studies that indicate that these glaciers have decreased by 50%, they have built 13 Barrick probing platforms, other platforms around 150 glaciers and a walk over glaciers Toro 1 and 2."

The prosecutor of Tucumán, Antonio Gomez, said that "we can not do that our rights are respected when impunity is the central problem. The only way to stop environmental criminals to jail and do it or not is the decision of the judges and prosecutors in the country. "

Deputy national Fernanda Reyes, the ARI, called for a paradigm shift, "we have lost the resources we need to start thinking from another location and the environmental issue should be a priority," he said.

Neighbours del Valle de Uco protest José Luis Gioja decisions

Neighbours del Valle de Uco attend assemblies

Valle De Uco
18 de Abril de 2009 |17:00

Assemblies and socio-environmental activists across the country will gather in San Juan, to "just say the current model of looting" and shed a different model based on a conception of property. Several neighbors of the Uco Valley to attend the assemblies.


The Union of Citizen Assemblies (UAC) covered the last year to meet in Catamarca be involved in the mining heart of the monster. " The challenge this year is even greater, since San Juan is its governor, Jose Luis Gioja, the political representative of the largest mining interests, someone to whom the chairman of Barrick Gold comes to visit in person.

The journey of encounters through the provinces with the aim of consolidating the message "against looting and pollution" is taking shape and is now the venue San Juan, 24, 25 and April 26, 2009 in provincial capital, to "learn about the different social-issues of each region and understand its relationship that they are based on a political and economic model of development based on the devastation of life, pollution and the plundering of our goods common. "

As is currently the hot debate over the presidential veto to the law of glaciers, will be reinforced ideas about the importance of protecting water sources with a forum-debate on Thursday, April 23 at the University of San Juan, with tables to be attended by specialists from across the country.

Some details on the organization of the meeting and what is happening with mining pollution in San Juan, gave Graciela Fernandez in an online dialogue on the site www.biodiversidadla.org Fernandez is a member of the Assembly San Juan against pollution and looting.

"We are in defense of common goods such as glaciers. We are opposed not only to megaminería but the entire political project only to pursue personal interests and elite groups, using a model that serves few and in no way at all. Gioja is because this fight for their interests, to defend their own business in San Juan mounted as Veladero and Pascua Lama is, "says Graciela.

- Why San Juan?

- "It seems important to generate a debate that is missing in San Juan and that the possibility of installing another position on what is now a concept that is closed, authoritarian government to impose its censorship. In San Juan we have to win a space to discuss the mining development that is taking place, which is not simply a 'model development' is actually a tax change our lives, works, links, families, that is our Identities. "

- To what extent there is an awareness of people about this tax that is being done, the destruction of identity?

- "The whole world realizes what Gioja does, what it is authoritarian, but that censorship has come down to self-censorship, which leads to non-participation and immobilization. This makes it Gioja face washed by a government with a popular social alleged policy, but deep down the San Juan knows what happens. We settled in places with projections and people come and say things like 'I knew this was not right' and give examples of sick people by mining and the problems generated by situations. "

- That people who come will be integrated into the assembly?

- "Not quite as integrated, rather Gioja know what they do and have a quiet support for our work."

- What is government retaliation for his activities?

- "There are colleagues who are facing threats. Since it is the assembly colleagues have prosecuted others who were prisoners, some who can not work as the case of Ernesto Lloveras who is a journalist and can not practice their profession. When we projected the seat-of-night police cars come and settle nearby. Because the law still prohibits the cinema audience is not even carry the projector. But coercion is, there are many police hanging around in San Juan. Anyway we have the conviction not to back down, you always have a wide call and not be afraid. People come at the national level and that the meeting is a recognition, even internationally, we can ensure that the development of activities. "

"Recently, the president announced in a hydroelectric dam in San Juan, Snails, and promised energy for the whole country. However for the assemblies is clear that it is energy for the company, Barrick Gold and other mining, because "the area is full of snails from mining projects." The imminent opening of a binational mining project Pascua Lama is directly related to the growing need for energy and haste in the time of construction of Caracoles, which has even been denounced for breaching safety rules after that embarrassment. "

- What is your relationship to the press in San Juan, as you can make complaints related to snails?

- "Except for some journalists who are persecuted, do not allow. El Diario de Cuyo is always on the side of power, moreover, is antisanjuanino the terrible damage he has done with his lies to create a breakdown of our identity. "

- What expectations for UAC 9?

- "Our greatest hope is the people coming from everywhere and with all the strength to raise their issues, and support our local issues. Also to achieve progress in the UAC to a position even more national. We come from the experiences of the assemblies, then the regional, and now we want to build a more domestic front, as they are always "one", ie how to work the cross is the same, regardless of the enclave they have. So we have to unify the struggle to maintain identity. "

Where do they get the water for these mining projects?

"Assemblies, researchers and activists are strongly considering the conflict between mining and polluting production activities as agriculture and livestock due to, among other things, the competition for the use of a scarce resource: water.







Following this line of work, talked with engineer Biodiversidadla Juan José Ramos, president of the Association of Independent Frutihorticultores vignerons and San Juan, to deepen the problems being experienced by that province will host the UAC 9.

Ramos explains that "the wine is very complicated, several years ago that we do not have profitability, we have a government that has defended us. It is an economy in the San Juan-Mendoza, who manages a group of no more than four companies, including Peñaflor. If the State fails, the group does what it wants monopoly with 20 thousand producers in the region. "

He also said that "the strategy is to shrink the state agricultural sector, concentrated, and thus more easily negotiate the water."

So from economic strangulation are small farmers diversify to survive?

"Today, no producer has only grapes, but they always have another activity besides produces melon, garlic, seeds, olives."

- This affects the production of the main product, the grapes?

"This last harvest we are leaving will be the smaller grape harvest in the last 40 years. Standing by the low profitability, the last five years many producers have gone: 17% of small have disappeared because they can not sustain the activity. We have also been affected by climate change and new pests, which makes losing the crop. "

Surprising that San Juan, the largest producer of grape-bearing in mind that Argentina is the world's largest exporter of concentrated grape juice, chooses to strangle the producers.

"Today we find that we will not have grape. San Juan in the middle of the grape is intended to make that juice. " It is required that the provincial plans provide water from producers to actors, so Ramos says "next to the problem of lack of profitability we advance the mining project, you need our water."

According to Ramos, this reallocation of resources is due to the shortage: "Every producer has a right to water law, allocated per hectare, and is historical. For many years, new rights suspended because not enough water to cover what had already been granted. Now that the mines are giving them the right to water, as we need water for agriculture. Sumale to that modification of the environment: 60 mil holes search made in a single year in the Cordillera. There is no inch of the San Juan mountain range that is not under concession. Where do they get the water for these mining projects, whose main input is water. "

Given this change in reality the producers come to protest, but the springs of the State are used to contain the discontent: "Those who oppose the mining project is not receiving any aid from the government. A producer complains receives nothing. Moreover, the situation we live in groups and we are at the forefront of the complaint is of constant threats and pressure on our sources of production through the inspections, as happened in the era of military rule, the era that was already involved in this activity and well I had consequences. "

"The San Juan are very pressured, and the people content with the regional parties and public works. We party every week, we had the feast of the sun, where they spent 14 million pesos, Susana Giménez took to read that mining is good. It is very difficult. Hopefully, the day the people of San Juan to rebel is not too late, even if it will help us to be before, "Ramos concludes.

Permanent Link: http://www.mdzol.com/mdz/nota/120396

The Real Blunder of Pascua Lama

Friday June 30, 2006 03:39 PM

On June 21, 2006, a Chilean court returned two of Barrick Gold's Pascua Lama mining leases to prospector Rodolfo Villar, who had agreed to sell them to Barrick but had been paid only 10,000 pesos ($20 CDN). The ruling could have serious consequences since the leases are listed as Barrick's property in a 2004 Protocol to the Chile-Argentina "Treaty of Mining Integration" which could be invalidated as a result. This analysis by Lucio Cuenca, National Coordinator of the Latin American Observatory of Environmental Conflicts (OLCA) was first published in El Mostrador on June 26, 2006

Pascua Lama exists as a binational mining project because in the year 1997 the governments of Argentina and Chile signed a "Treaty of Mining Integration" whose ambit of application is the border region along the Andes and which constitutes the legal framework governing the development of the mining business. Before this treaty, it was not possible to mine deposits located in this mountainous region because they were in "borderized zones" in the case of Chile, and in Argentina, "border zones" and/or "security zones", spaces which in both countries were subject to restrictive laws.

The transnational mining companies, Barrick Gold in particular, pursuaded the governments of both countries that it would be beneficial to create a legal instrument to facilitate the mining business in the border regions.

The recent ruling of the 14th Civil Court of Santiago (case #1912-2001), which overturned the sale of mining claims carried out in March of 1997 in which Rodolfo Villar García ceded to mining company Minera Nevada -- subsidiary of Barrick Gold in Chile -- the rights to properties where the project Pascua Lama is being constructed, brings the thorny problems of this complex conflict to a forefront. The judge completely nullified the contract of sale between Villar and Barrick Gold and ordered the return of the rights of ownership which existed previously in the Amarillo Norte and Tesoro properties (Pascua Lama being located in this last property), returning them to their previous state when the prospector Rodolfo Villar was the owner of these mining rights.

Those of us who are opposed to the Pascua Lama project no matter who the owner be understand that this is a property dispute between miners and is a circumstantial setback for mining operation. It isn't the end of the story. We quote from the declarations of Villar's lawyer, Hernán Montealegre, who has said that, "If there is an interesting offer, this possibility will be examined by Mr. Villar and I don't think that Barrick would commit suicide and has to be ready to pay something that comes near to the real value of this property and clean the shameful image that they have for having swindled a person by paying him 10,000 pesos and by having violated the Constitution."

But what certainly could constitute a bigger obstacle for Pascua Lama are the implications of the ruling regarding some of the legal points generated by the Mining Treaty with Argentina to concretely facilitate the development of the binational project. The Mining Treaty establishes that under petition from investors to establish operations along the border, the parties must sign Additional Specific Protocols, where the "area of operations" and the procedures will be determined for each project.

In the case of Pascua Lama, this protocol was signed and set into law by the Decree of the Ministry of Mining on December 11 of 2004. In this protocol -- among other things -- the "area of operations" is detailed, its limits set, and Nevada Mining Company Ltd.'s 193 mining claims "already constituted" and the 8 "in process" are identified. In this list figure "Amarillos" at 3,600 hectares and "Tesoros" at 2,100 hectares. These mining claims are those the recent ruling returned to Rodolfo Villar, and one could conclude thus that the decree contains serious flaws and should be itself nullified.

It is painfully obvious that the Chilean government has enacted this Decree containing these defects. One might think that the government didn't know. But this case has a long history which the authorities could not ignore. For example, in this case a precautionary order was decreed over the disputed claims which "prohibits the signing of acts and contracts and/or encumbrences and/or transferrals over each of the aforementioned mining properties." Therefore, it was sufficient to request a certificate of ownership valid in the mining district of Vallenar. Our authorities, when they want to make things easier for the "big investors", let themselves be easily carried off and act above the law.

Focusing on the principle of invalidation, Article 53 and subsequent articles of the Administrative Procedures (Law 19.880) which regulate the acts of the authorities that dictated the Decree, states that this same should be nullified administratively on account of a serious flaw. This could be the moment to start to rectify a series of other irregularities and illegalities which have been denounced, but which the governments in power, ceding to the pressure of the transnational mining company, have systematically ignored. It's up to the Minister of Mining and President Bachelet.

Renewed faith in September

Lenders expect to be called this month by the company Barrick to have any clue about the start of construction of the mine. The Government awaits the official announcement at the close of the first half. Chile also hurries the project.

Written by DANIEL TEJADA
http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=337363

The chambers of providers agreed that local miners again in September as the tentative date of commencement of construction of the binational Pascua Lama mine. Further after the meeting last Tuesday at Casa Rosada among Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and the dome top of Barrick, including founder Peter Munk.

The company still awaits agreement Argentine Chilean taxes on cross-border services to make the announcement indivisible. And do not risk any date. The provincial government put it in terms desiderativos: "We hope to complete before the first announcement of the construction project," said Jose Luis Gioja in his annual message on April 1 in the Legislature. However, the political backing of the meeting last Tuesday apuraría to the announcement in May, it was learned from sources described.

According to the Chilean ambassador Luis Maira Aguirre, unlock the item for tax is shared between the two nations. "We do not know much more than they know the common people," said the manager of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Services (Casemi), Donna Alexander. The institution expects a business meeting with representatives of Barrick 22 or April 23. Contained in the Agenda Veladero and Pascua Lama.

According to unofficial data handling Casemi, the manager of the binational project, Ron Kettles, is in Canada and has about three months of hard work ahead, with the intention of defining the start of construction for August-September. "Apparently they are going to have definitions. But we do not want to meet with enthusiastic people from Barrick, "said Donna.

"Actually the last thing we have is that Pascua Lama leaves after the winter season. We might take in September, with very good mood. That would start a little movement throughout the service companies, "said Chamber President Mining Services Enterprises (Cepsm), Adrian Cellura. "We also know that in April or May would be an official announcement," he added.

So, the picture showing the two chambers is similar in the midst of uncertainty.

"There is more than what the Governor said. We hope to announce the start of construction before the first semester, because the tax issue is not resolved. We depend on it, "said Secretary of State for Mining, Felipe Saavedra.

However, a source area of the Secretariat of Mining of the nation entrusted WHOSE MINING in Buenos Aires that the version circulated in Chile some remaining sectoral permits that have to do with the electrical energy used by the mine. In this case, the delay of the delay line tax camuflaría other certifications.

¿Remaining sectoral permits? "To my knowledge, no. What is missing is the tax issue and there would be no more obstacles, "Saavedra replied. "We hope that this issue is resolved and the construction of the mine should start in September, if not, we lose another year," the provincial official. In the framework of the Argentine-Chile Integration, held in San Juan last week, Ambassador Maira Aguirre spoke on WHOSE MINING binational project. "We hope that what we have been waiting to happen for several years. Which has a technical understanding to the complex problems of the determination of tax, especially for productive activities in the indivisible nature of the border we can solve for the good of both countries in the regions where they are to be based projects, the region Atacama in Chile and San Juan in Argentina, "said the diplomat.

"I saw the governor and we've been pushing heavily to his side. We have made great efforts since January, took five technical meetings, and we hope to unlock and produce a technical reflection of the great political agreement that the two presidents and the two countries to launch this project, "said Maira Aguirre.

Opportune Moment

"If seen from a financial point of view, is a project of gold and the prices are good. On the other hand many of the equipment used in mining activities are available. Before he had to wait two or three years, now we have availability and lowered prices a bit, "said Saavedra.

For its part, Maira Aguirre stressed that the political will at the international level the implementation of the mining project. "In a time of crisis a 1,000 billion dollars of investment that can give impetus to the productive activity, which is an example of strong investment in time, is of great value for the two countries," the ambassador said.

"Anyone who can show that you can now launch and promote a dynamic project, that represents a signal to the international community, countries of serious, well-structured and capable of hosting even in difficult conditions to foreign investment even when dynamic and supports the productive development, "the Chilean diplomat. Service providers have the minutes and the expectation is growing. "For those providers would be an injection of joy or hope great. Because today, but lenders are not having a bad time, is not the best, "said Cellura.

According to its president, all partners have Cepsm of work, but some have had to reduce its services in most of the items, especially on transport, operations, equipment rental and camps.

The reason is that there were teams that junior explorers have begun to do their jobs and have left. And others had started and instead of drilling to 100 percent are drilling 50 per cent. "It is estimated that the budget we had to take him to reach for the whole year. And the half that have divided in two, before and after the winter, "said Cellura.

Donna described the situation somewhat more terminal. "The truth is that companies are providing a pretty complicated. Has slowed throughout much despair and grazing is the financial situation of many companies from San Juan. Special trucks for transportation of loads, sprinkler trucks, drilling equipment, recruitment of exploration camps and catering is slowed too much because everything was stopped exploration, "explained manager Casemi.

With the start of construction of the Pascua Lama scenario will change dramatically for local entrepreneurs, despite the international crisis. "We estimate that it will be four times what it was Veladero. If we changed the life Veladero, Pascua Lama more. But do not claim victory because we know there are many jobs to be done from Chile. Works great. So we want to meet people from Barrick to tell us what you have planned, "said Donna.

"Pascua Lama is a project that been waiting for over three years. While utilities do not have left many employees and are maintained, there comes a time when it is complicated. Have bet all the miracle of a new project, big, "said Cellura.

"We must have patience. And it also has the patience to know the pilot companies to reach. Because it would be a very ugly picture that companies reach out to human resources and financial resources to begin to hand, robbed and drowned when they begin to demand services for Pascua Lama, "the president Cepsm.


ESCENARIO: PASCUA LAMA

Renuevan la fe en Septiembre

Los prestadores esperan ser convocados este mes por la empresa Barrick para tener alguna pista sobre el inicio de la construcción de la mina. El Gobierno aguarda el anuncio oficial al cierre del primer semestre. Chile también apura el proyecto.
DANIEL TEJADA
Las cámaras de prestadores de servicios mineros locales coincidieron en señalar nuevamente a septiembre como la fecha posible de inicio de la construcción de la mina binacional Pascua Lama. Más aún luego de la reunión mantenida el martes pasado en Casa Rosada, entre Cristina Fernández de Kirchner y la cúpula máxima de Barrick, incluido el socio fundador Peter Munk.

La compañía aguarda todavía el acuerdo argentino chileno por los tributos sobre los servicios transfronterizos indivisibles para hacer el anuncio. Y no arriesga fecha alguna. El Gobierno provincial lo puso en términos desiderativos: “Esperamos para antes que concluya el primer semestre el anuncio de la construcción del proyecto”, dijo José Luis Gioja en su mensaje anual el 1 de abril en la Legislatura. Sin embargo, el espaldarazo político del encuentro del martes pasado apuraría el anuncio a mayo, trascendió de fuentes calificadas.

Según el embajador chileno Luis Maira Aguirre, la fuerza por destrabar el tema impositivo es compartida entre ambas naciones. “No sabemos mucho más de lo que sabe la gente común”, dijo el gerente de la Cámara Argentina de Servicios Mineros (Casemi), Alejandro Donna. La institución empresaria espera una reunión con representantes de Barrick el 22 o el 23 de abril. En el temario figura Veladero y también Pascua Lama.

Según los datos extraoficiales que maneja Casemi, el responsable del proyecto binacional, Ron Kettles, está en Canadá y tiene unos tres meses de mucho trabajo por delante, con la intención de definir el inicio de la construcción para agosto-septiembre. “Aparentemente van a tener definiciones. Pero no queremos entusiasmarnos hasta reunirnos con la gente de Barrick”, advirtió Donna.

“Realmente lo último que tenemos nosotros es que Pascua Lama sale para después de la temporada de invierno. Podríamos tomar septiembre, con muy buenas ganas. Ahí empezaría un poco todo el movimiento de las empresas de servicios”, dijo el presidente de la Cámara de Empresas Prestadoras de Servicios Mineros (Cepsm), Adrián Cellura. “También se sabe que para abril o para mayo tendríamos un anuncio oficial”, agregó.

Así las cosas, el panorama que presentan ambas cámaras es similar en medio de la incertidumbre.

“No hay más que lo que dijo el Gobernador. Aspiramos a que se anuncie el inicio de la construcción antes del primer semestre, porque el tema tributario no está resuelto. Dependemos de eso”, explicó el secretario de Estado de Minería, Felipe Saavedra.

Sin embargo, una fuente del ámbito de la Secretaría de Minería de la Nación confió a CUYO MINERO que en Buenos Aires circula la versión de que en Chile restan algunos permisos sectoriales que tienen que ver con la energía eléctrica que utilizaría la mina. En tal caso, la demora del acuerdo tributario camuflaría el retardo de otras certificaciones.

¿Restan permisos sectoriales? “Que yo sepa, no. Lo que está faltando es el tema tributario y no habría más obstáculos”, contestó Saavedra. “Aspiramos a que se solucione este tema y la construcción de la mina debiera comenzar en septiembre, si no, perdemos otro año más”, concluyó el funcionario provincial. En el marco del Comité de Integración Argentino-Chilena, realizado en San Juan la semana pasada, el embajador Maira Aguirre habló con CUYO MINERO sobre el proyecto binacional. “Nosotros esperamos que ocurra lo que venimos aguardando hace varios años. Que haya un entendimiento técnico, que los problemas complejos de la determinación tributaria, especialmente de las acciones productivas de carácter indivisible en la frontera las podamos resolver en pro del bien de los dos países de las regiones donde van a estar radicados estos proyectos, la región de Atacama en Chile y San Juan en la Argentina”, consideró el diplomático.

“He visto al gobernador y en eso he estado a su lado empujando fuertemente. Hemos hecho un gran esfuerzo desde enero, llevamos cinco reuniones técnicas, y esperamos desbloquear y producir un reflejo técnico del gran acuerdo político que tienen las dos presidentas y los dos países para iniciar este proyecto”, agregó Maira Aguirre.

Momento oportuno

“Si se ve desde el punto de vista financiero, es un proyecto de oro y los precios están buenos. Y por otro lado muchos de los equipos usados en la actividad minera están disponibles. Antes había que esperar dos o tres años, ahora hay disponibilidad y han bajado un poco los precios”, opinó Saavedra.

Por su parte, Maira Aguirre destacó la dimensión política que tendrá en el plano internacional la concreción del proyecto minero. “En un tiempo de crisis un proyecto de 1.000 millones de dólares de inversión que puede darle dinamismo a la actividad productiva, que es un ejemplo de inversión en tiempos estrechos, es de gran valor para los dos países”, dijo el embajador.

“El que pueda mostrar hoy día que puede poner en marcha e impulsar dinámicamente un proyecto, eso representa una señal a la comunidad internacional, de países serios, bien estructurados, y capaces de acoger aún en condiciones difíciles a la inversión extranjera aún cuando es dinámica y favorece el desarrollo productivo”, agregó el diplomático chileno. Las empresas prestadoras de servicios cuentan los minutos y la expectativa crece. “Para los prestadores sería una inyección de alegría o de esperanza muy grande. Porque hoy por hoy, si bien los prestadores no están pasando un mal momento, tampoco es el mejor”, consideró Cellura.

Según su presidente, todos los asociados de la Cepsm tienen trabajo, pero algunos han tenido que reducir sus servicios en la mayoría de los rubros, en especial en materia de transporte, operaciones, alquiler de máquinas y de campamentos.

El motivo es que hubo equipos de exploradores juniors que habían empezado a hacer sus tareas y las han abandonado. Y otros habían empezado y en vez de perforar el 100 por ciento están perforando el 50 por ciento. “Es como que dosificaron el presupuesto que tenían para llevarlo a que alcance para todo el año. Y a esa mitad la han dividido en dos, para antes y para después del invierno”, explicó Cellura.

Donna describió la situación algo más terminal. “La verdad es que las empresas prestadoras están en un punto bastante complicado. Se ha frenado todo mucho y está rozando la desesperación la situación financiera de muchas empresas sanjuaninas. Los camiones especiales para transporte de cargas, camiones regadores, los equipos perforadores, la contratación de campamentos de exploración y el catering se frenaron mucho porque todo lo que era exploración se paró”, explicó el gerente de Casemi.

Con el inicio de la construcción de Pascua Lama el escenario local cambiará radicalmente para los empresarios, pese a la crisis internacional. “Hay que calcular que va a ser cuatro veces lo que fue Veladero. Si Veladero nos cambió la vida, Pascua Lama mucho más. Pero no hay que cantar victoria porque sabemos que hay muchos trabajos que se van a hacer desde Chile. Trabajos grandes. Por eso nos queremos reunir con la gente de Barrick para que nos cuente lo que tiene previsto”, aseguró Donna.

“Pascua lama es un proyecto que llevamos esperando hace más de tres años. Si bien las empresas de servicios no han dado de baja a muchos empleados y los están manteniendo, llega un momento en que eso se complica. Han apostado todos al milagro de un proyecto nuevo, grande”, dijo Cellura.

“Tenemos que tener paciencia. Y la paciencia trae también saber pilotear las empresas para poder llegar. Porque sería un panorama muy feo que las empresas lleguen agotadas de recursos humanos y de recursos financieros y empiecen a dar manotazos de ahogado cuando comience la demanda de servicios para Pascua Lama”, concluyó el presidente de Cepsm.

"The law was drafted by glaciers is ambiguous"

"Pascua Lama, which is so complicated by the presence of bodies of ice cover was redesigned with a pit not interfering. Lost 17% of the reserves. "

Juan Pablo Milana - Geólogo glaciólogo (above picture)




Translated from original article in

http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=334015


written by DANIEL TEJADA Diario de Cuyo


Adviser to the Independent Citizens Foundation, specializes in ice and has worked in at least one mining project moving glaciers in Chile.

Juan Pablo Milana is the advisor to the Independent Citizens Foundation (Fuci) that discussed last week with specialists from the Chamber of Mines about the law vetoed by glacier Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. In the presence of the Senators of the National Front for the Victoria Marina and Cesar Gioja Riofrío, progress was made on points of agreement to propose a new policy that protects the ice from the mountain. In a conversation with WHOSE MINING, Milana ruled defender mining controls.

- Read the law of glaciers vetoed Cristina?

Well, actually I read a lot before the veto and I attempted several times to meet with the senators and the Environment Committee of the Senate before they were to tell the bad points of that text, because no condecían a law of glaciers.

- What was wrong?

I always say that we must learn from the mistakes you committed. The first mistake was marrying a law and a national inventory of glaciers with an institute, in this case Ianigla (Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences), which has already taken 35 years and did nothing. Only did the inventory of glaciers in the basin of the Rio Mendoza. Thinking about giving this Pharaonic seems so silly. He is a very widespread. I believe that a national law has to encourage horizontal growth in the provinces and not favor one province with this budget, which will be Mendoza, and the rest of the provinces are going to look. And I can assure you that it is impossible to monitor all glaciers in the country from Mendoza.



The ideal of a law that would be of glaciers resulting budget to the provinces with glaciers, which will generate an institute with offices cryosphere.

- Is the law of glaciers?



Yes, I never said that a law is not necessary to ice. On the contrary. But as drafted was a bit vague and included terms and definitions that make it gray. We want a law that is inevitable and white does not give rise to gray because that does not suit us. If we want to protect the ice, say "ice". Period.

- What we know about glaciers in San Juan? Do we know how many there are, briefly, where are they located?

I've tried to go in groups, but the lack of support for these studies is impressive. To address the study of all the glaciers in San Juan need a fairly large support. We have gone with our resources to the mountain, with equipment provided, as we like but we have never had support. The problem in San Juan is ignorance. There was recently a meeting convened by the Chamber of Mines and I was horrified to hear the director of the Department of Water (Jorge Million) saying that the glaciers did not have a significant role in the discharge of the Rio San Juan. Of course I told him everything that he had to say. That shows ignorance. And if you do not know something, do not you go to protect. So it is good that the nation is down from a line to say that glaciers are important and that we must study them and protect them while the local government departments to say no.

-If I could summarize in one sentence you should say what the law of glaciers, what would it be?

-In fact, if I were a legislator, he would have changed the title and would have "law of ice." Because I believe that the philosophy of law must be the protection of water resources in the solid state. And there is a law on water but there is a law of ice. But the name "glacial" is a box-office ... then he has "glacier." But if the law read "Protect bodies of ice that remained over two years on the ground ready. Gone are the gray areas: ice, protecting it. - You considers himself anti-mining "?

No, not at all. I am pro-environment and believe the mining industry needed one. I've always said. So no I agree with many groups who say "no to mining", but get into a car that is made, half of mining products. I'm not at all "anti-mining" even though I have cataloged as such. And it could be because I am not a geologist. But I think you have to do a proper assessment of the pros and cons before you start a mine. If you really need it or how we are going to do to use that to develop. Developed countries used mining but had a plan of reinvestment.

- Is it possible to think without affecting glaciers in mining? What major public works such as tunnel Agua Negra?

Yes, absolutely. In fact the Pascua Lama project that is so complicated by the presence of bodies of ice cover was redesigned in a pit with no interference. Lost 17 percent of gold reserves but good, everything is possible.

Of course this is a bid. Employers will want to get the juice to the mountain the most able and hence the role of the state and NGOs, to which also belong to limit it a bit. The important thing is to have open discussion.

- Is the movement of glaciers or is it science fiction?

It is perfectly possible. You can move mountains. The proof of the pit mine in Chile in the second region that is almost 800 meters deep and 2 miles long. They made a mountain upside down, well impressive. The same with the glaciers. The ice weighs three times less than the rock. Trucks giants have their spare capacity. As defenders of irrigators, when I was in Chile, we did a project to modify the plan of moving ice that the company was facing.

- What kept the original potential of the glacier?

No one knows that. It was a test and then the Chilean law establishes compensation. In the analysis of this breaking of the ice company accepted that it would not be successful. If it was, the better.

But we had to pay compensation for such breakage. They had to build a dam in height. We gave our verdict: we can do but there are no guarantees it will work.

- What is the worst case scenario if it was to work without effective controls on the glaciers? What would be the worst possible damage to the glaciers?

-How are things given, the biggest problems I see in the current mining operation would be in the water emerging, not glaciers. Logically, the glaciers are going to be affected in one way or another. Are burning 220,000 liters of fuel per day or something. This produces a warming, combined with the dust that is generated from the movement of machinery and explosions. This dust settles on the glaciers and the melting increases and the deterioration progresses. A possible scenario is that there glaciers disappear and the big guys are a little polluted, because that dust is not very good.

- But can be moderate with controls?

-At least you can know what happens. So, you can sample and see how is the evolution of water quality that comes from the glaciers. We proposed a series of checks, because sometimes natural disasters happen, accidents happen and that is unpredictable. So we in the area of Pascua Lama had proposed a camera system connected on-line, so anyone could see how they are conducting operations. That is the problem that I see in Veladero.

A glaciology is entered from three different professions, according to Milana. Are physicists, who study the ice crystallography, how ice is formed. They are also geographers, who study the formation of glaciers, but a bit more superficially. And the geologists who study it as part of the surface and the earth's crust. Milana graduated from the BA in geology in the year'87 and graduated from the Ph.D. program in'91, both studied at the Universidad Nacional de San Juan. His doctoral dissertation will not be referred to the glaciology because no guardian for such studies. Glaciologist title does not exist, like the sedimentologist. But disciplines are studying and Milana credited with publications in journals, he said.

“La ley de glaciares estaba redactada de manera ambigua”
Asesor de la Fundación Ciudadanos Independientes, es especialista en hielos y ha trabajado en al menos un proyecto minero de traslado de glaciares en Chile.

DANIEL TEJADA

Juan Pablo Milana es el asesor de la Fundación Ciudadanos Independientes (Fuci) que debatió la semana pasada con los especialistas de la Cámara Minera acerca de la ley de glaciares vetada por Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. En presencia de los senadores nacionales del Frente para la Victoria César Gioja y Marina Riofrío, se avanzó en puntos de coincidencia para proponer un nuevo texto normativo que proteja los hielos de la alta montaña. En diálogo con CUYO MINERO, Milana se pronunció defensor de la minería con controles.

-¿Leyó la ley de glaciares que vetó Cristina?

-Bueno, de hecho la leí mucho antes de que la vetara y varias veces hice el intento de reunirme con los senadores y con la Comisión de Medio Ambiente del Senado antes de que se tratara, para indicarles los puntos malos de ese texto, porque no condecían con una ley de glaciares.

-¿Qué era lo malo?

-Yo siempre digo que hay que aprender de los errores que uno comete. El primer error es casar una ley y un inventario nacional de glaciares con un instituto, en este caso el Ianigla (Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales), que ya lleva 35 años y no hizo nada. Hizo sólo el inventario de glaciares de la cuenca del Río Mendoza. Pensar en darle esta tarea tan faraónica me parece tonto. Además es un país muy extendido. Yo creo que una ley nacional tiene que impulsar el crecimiento horizontal en las provincias y no favorecer una provincia con todo este presupuesto, que va a ser Mendoza, y el resto de las provincias van a mirar. Y te puedo asegurar que es imposible monitorear todos los glaciares del país desde Mendoza.



Lo ideal de una ley de glaciares sería que se derivara presupuesto a las provincias que tienen glaciares, que se generara un instituto de criósfera con delegaciones.

-¿Es necesaria la ley de glaciares?



-Sí, yo nunca he dicho que no sea necesaria una ley de hielos. Al contrario. Pero tal como estaba redactada era un poco ambigua e incluía términos y definiciones que la hacían gris. Nosotros queremos una ley blanca que sea ineludible y no dé lugar a interpretaciones grises porque eso no nos conviene. Si queremos defender los hielos, digamos “hielo”. Punto.

-¿Qué sabemos de los glaciares de San Juan? ¿Sabemos cuántos son, someramente, dónde están ubicados?

-Yo he tratado de ir formando grupos, pero la falta de apoyo para estos estudios es impresionante. Para encarar el estudio de todos los glaciares de San Juan necesitamos un apoyo bastante grueso. Nosotros hemos ido con nuestros recursos a la montaña, con equipos prestados, porque nos gusta, pero nunca hemos tenido apoyo. El problema en San Juan es la ignorancia. Hubo hace poco una reunión convocada por la Cámara Minera y yo quedé horrorizado de escucharlo al director del Departamento de Hidráulica (Jorge Millón) diciendo que los glaciares no tenían un rol significativo en las descargas del Río San Juan. Por supuesto le dije todo lo que le tenía que decir. Eso muestra la ignorancia. Y si vos no sabés de algo, no lo vas a proteger. Por eso es bueno que desde la Nación se baje una línea de decir que los glaciares son importantes y que hay que estudiarlos y protegerlos aunque las reparticiones públicas locales digan que no.

-Si pudiera resumir en una frase lo que debiera decir la ley de glaciares, ¿qué sería?

-Justamente, si yo fuera legislador, le habría cambiado el título y habría puesto “ley de hielos”. Porque yo creo que la filosofía de la ley tiene que ser la protección del recurso hídrico en el estado sólido. Y hay una ley de aguas pero no hay una ley de hielos. Pero como el nombre “glaciares” es muy taquillero… entonces se le ha puesto “de glaciares”. Pero si la ley dijera “protegemos cuerpos de hielo que se mantienen por más de dos años en el terreno”, listo. Se acabaron los temas grises: hay hielo, lo protegemos. -¿Usted se considera a sí mismo “anti-minero”?

-No, para nada. Yo soy pro-ambiente y considero la minería una actividad industrial necesaria. Siempre lo he dicho. Por eso no comulgo con muchos grupos que dicen “no a la minería”, pero se suben a un auto que está hecho, la mitad, de productos mineros. Yo no soy para nada “anti-minero” por más que me hayan catalogado de tal. Y no podría serlo porque soy geólogo. Pero sí creo que se tiene que hacer un buen balance de los pros y los contras antes de empezar una mina. Si realmente la necesitamos o cómo vamos a hacer para usar eso para desarrollarnos. Los países desarrollados usaron la minería pero tenían un plan de reinversión.

-¿Es posible pensar en minería sin afectar glaciares? ¿Y grandes obras públicas como el túnel por Agua Negra?

-Sí, totalmente. De hecho el proyecto Pascua Lama que está tan complicado por la presencia de los cuerpos de hielo en la cobertura fue rediseñado con un rajo no interferente. Perdieron un 17 por ciento de las reservas de oro pero bueno, todo es posible.

Por supuesto esto es una puja. Los empresarios van a querer sacarle el jugo a la montaña lo que más puedan y ahí viene el rol del Estado y de las organizaciones no gubernamentales, a las cuales también pertenezco, de limitar un poco esto. Lo importante es que haya discusión abierta.

-¿Existe el traslado de glaciares o es ciencia ficción?

-Es perfectamente posible. Podés trasladar montañas. Lo prueba el rajo de la mina de la segunda región chilena que tiene casi 800 metros de profundidad y 2 kilómetros de largo. Hicieron una montaña al revés, un pozo impresionante. Lo mismo con los glaciares. El hielo pesa tres veces menos que la roca. Los camiones gigantes que tienen, les sobra capacidad. Como defensores de los regantes, cuando yo estaba en Chile, hicimos un proyecto para modificar el plan de movimiento de hielos que tenía la empresa.

-¿Y se conserva la potencialidad original del glaciar?

-No se sabe eso. Era una prueba y en ese caso la ley chilena establece compensaciones. En el análisis de esta rotura de hielo la empresa aceptaba que no iba a ser exitoso. Si lo era, mejor.

Pero ya tenían que pagar compensaciones por esa rotura. Tuvieron que construir un dique en altura. Nosotros dimos nuestro veredicto: se puede hacer pero no hay garantías de que funcione.

-¿Cuál es la peor hipótesis si se llegara a trabajar sin controles efectivos sobre los glaciares? ¿Cuál sería el peor daño posible en los glaciares?

-Como están dadas las cosas, los mayores problemas que yo veo en la explotación minera actual serían en el agua emergente, no en los glaciares. Lógicamente los glaciares van a ser afectados de una u otra manera. Se están quemando 220.000 litros de combustible diarios o algo así. Eso produce un calentamiento, sumado al polvo que se genera con el movimiento de máquinas y las explosiones. Ese polvo se asienta en los glaciares y aumenta el derretimiento y avanza el deterioro. Un posible escenario es que en esa zona los glaciares chicos desaparezcan y los grandes sean un poco contaminados, porque ese polvo no es muy bueno.

-¿Pero se puede morigerar con controles?

-Por lo menos podés saber lo que pasa. O sea, podés tomar muestras y ver qué tal es la evolución de la calidad del agua que viene de los glaciares. Nosotros propusimos una serie de controles, porque a veces suceden las catástrofes, suceden los accidentes y eso es imprevisible. Entonces nosotros en el área de Pascua Lama habíamos propuesto un sistema de cámaras conectadas on-line, para que cualquiera pudiera ver cómo se están llevando a cabo las operaciones. Ese es el problema que yo veo en Veladero.

Government officials and miners Barrick beat women in Peñas Negras

Translated from original posting on http://www.noalamina.org website

http://www.noalamina.org/index.php?module=announce&ANN_user_op=view&ANN_id=2127

"Madres Autoconvocadas" in Famatina, Argentina.(photos above)




Tuesday, officials from the secretariat of mining and environment of the province of Rioja with staff Barrick Gold climbed to camp they have on the hill. Some women in the House pushed the Peñas Negras and cutting down the barrier. A dozen men in their 4x4 lashing against the barrier and attacked the few women who sat peacefully in front of vehicles. A pushing, fist blows and kicks away at the assembly. Miners and officials attended the police station to complain to the neighbors at 2230 hs.prácticamente but all the people of Famatina was around the station and these "gentlemen" now afraid to leave.


Famatina - RIOJA


MINING AND ENVIRONMENT OFFICIALS AGREED TO WILD WOMEN IN THE COURT OF BLACK PEÑAS

Officials of the Secretariat of mining and environment, along with staff from Barrick Gold climbed to camp they have on the hill. Some women in the House pushed the Peñas Negras and cutting down the barrier.

Government officials and employees of Barrick, a dozen men in total in their 4x4-lashing against the barrier and not as it was attacked a few women who sat peacefully in front of vehicles. A pushing, fist blows and kicks away at the assembly.

Were not complying with it to the police station to report Famatina the assembly, posing as victims.

The attackers, when entering the station they found that some residents were already aware of what happened and verbally assaulted in an attitude of arrogance, feeling sure of their impunity.

That attitude was not favorable: virtually all the people of Famatina is around the station and these "gentlemen" now afraid to leave.

The latest news we have, through a telephone call at 22.50 pm. They are:

- Officers attackers are still at the police station guarded by police forces Famatina, who have called for police reinforcements to the Chilecito.

- The assembly in turn are based a complaint by the attack

They inform us that there are at least two women injured by the assemblies aggression. Even a documentary that was in Peñas Negras doing shots for a documentary was also beaten. We do not know in detail the seriousness of injuries to the assemblies.

Please give widest dissemination of this report.
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Last night in Famatina: marched in the local market under the Tanires of the bells of the Church

There is a policy decision of the government explicitly suppress. Governor Ismael Famatina Bordagaray, before assuming a regular collaborator and assistant to the assembly cut Peñas Negras, now dancing to the beat of this Beder.

Local police officials protected and avoided during hours that the complaint filed in Assemblies Famatina.

The Secretary for Human Rights Sunday Bordón facts cynically refers to "justice", people from the Ministry of Mining and Environment were present at Peñas Negras trying to "endorse" the assemblies, an old oil spill from the Barrick at the mine two years ago resulted in the exploration phase then interrupted done promptly reported by us.

These people paid for us all, who stars in the new assault yesterday, destroyed the barrier to blows again assaulted colleagues, tried to pass over a vehicle, ignored the rights of the people and openly declared to be "acting on the orders of Beder .

We recall that the first robbery was foiled at the barrier, then the savage repression on the anniversary of Chilecito, then the judge Ramos release the stolen truck and the next day was an injury to the 2nd barrier. At the same time he was discovered and denounced by the Assemblies in the presence of a partner Al Kassar, Miguel Solanis mining entrepreneur, who owns 25 hectares in area. Yesterday this.

Last night the people of Famtaina took to the streets to express their condemnation and to reaffirm their resolve to defend their property. Children, elderly, women and homres, marched on the local market under the Tanires of the bells of the Church.

Today at 11 pm at Capital, March repudiation. General Assembly this afternoon Famatina.
The real democracy is not touched.

Expand later, when the images come from the episodes. After the Assembly, we will issue press release.

Spreading please.
Abrazo.
Ramon Navarro (h)
03822-15526907 - Rioja Capital
Famatina contact: Carina Moreno Diaz> 03825-15660017
Contact Chilecito Marcela Crabbe> 03825-15669724
Citizen Assemblies Riojanos


Funcionarios del gobierno y mineros de Barrick golpearon a mujeres en Peñas Negras

Ayer martes, funcionarios de la secretaría de minería y de ambiente de la provincia de La Rioja junto a personal de Barrick Gold subieron al campamento que tienen en el cerro. Algunas mujeres de la Asamblea se apostaron en el corte de Peñas Negras y bajaron la barrera. Unos doce hombres arremetieron en sus 4x4 contra la barrera y agredieron a las pocas mujeres que se sentaron pacíficamente delante de los vehículos. A empujones, golpes de puño y patadas apartaron a los asambleístas. Mineros y funcionarios concurrieron a la comisaría a denunciar a los vecinos pero a las 22.30 hs.prácticamente todo el pueblo de Famatina estaba rodeando la comisaría y estos “señores” ahora tienen miedo de salir.

ULTIMO MOMENTO

FAMATINA – LA RIOJA


FUNCIONARIOS DE MINERIA Y AMBIENTE AGREDIERON SALVAJEMENTE A MUJERES EN EL CORTE DE PEÑAS NEGRAS

Funcionarios de la secretaría de minería y de ambiente, junto a personal de Barrick Gold subieron al campamento que tienen en el cerro. Algunas mujeres de la Asamblea se apostaron en el corte de Peñas Negras y bajaron la barrera.

Los funcionarios de gobierno y los empleados de Barrick –unos doce hombres en total-arremetieron en sus 4x4 contra la barrera y como eso no les alcanzó agredieron a las pocas mujeres que se sentaron pacíficamente delante de los vehículos. A empujones, golpes de puño y patadas apartaron a los asambleístas.

No conformes con eso fueron a la comisaría de Famatina a denunciar a los asambleístas, haciéndose pasar por víctimas.

Los agresores, al ingresar a la comisaría se encontraron con algunos pobladores que ya se habían enterado de parte de lo sucedido y los agredieron verbalmente en una actitud de soberbia, sintiéndose seguros de su impunidad.

Esa actitud no les resultó favorable: prácticamente todo el pueblo de Famatina está rodeando la comisaría y estos “señores” ahora tienen miedo de salir.

Las últimas novedades que tenemos, merced a una comunicación telefónica a las 22,50 hs. Son:

- Los funcionarios agresores están todavía en la comisaría custodiados por las fuerzas policiales de Famatina, que han pedido refuerzos a la policía de Chilecito.

- Los asambleístas están radicando a su vez una denuncia por la agresión sufrida

Nos informan que hay por lo menos dos mujeres de las asambleas con heridas por la agresión. Incluso un documentalista que se encontraba en Peñas Negras haciendo tomas para un documental también resultó golpeado. No conocemos en detalle la gravedad de las lesiones producidas a las asambleístas.

SE RUEGA DAR MÁXIMA DIFUSION A ESTE INFORME.
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Anoche en Famatina: marcharon en la plaza local bajo el tañir de las campanas de la Iglesia

Hay una decisión política del gobierno, explicita, de reprimir. El Intendente de Famatina Ismael Bordagaray, antes de asumir, un asiduo colaborador asambleario y asistente al corte en Peñas Negras, hoy esta bailando al compas de Beder.

La policia local protegió a los funcionarios, y evitó durante horas que las Asambleas radicaran la denuncia en Famatina.

El Secretario de Derechos Humanos Domingo Bordón, remite los hechos cínicamente a la "justicia", gente de la Secretaria de Minería y de Medio Ambiente estaban presentes en Peñas Negras tratando de "endosar" a las asambleas, un viejo derrame de gasoil de la Barrick en la mina, producido hace dos años en la etapa de exploración luego interrumpida, hecho denunciado oportunamente por nosotros.

Esta gente pagada por todos nosotros, es quien protagoniza ayer la nueva agresión, destruyeron la barrera a golpes, nuevamente agredieron a compañeros, intentaron pasarles por encima con un vehículo, desconocieron todos los derechos del pueblo y declararon abiertamente estar "actuando por orden del Beder".

Recordamos que primero fue el robo frustrado a la barrera, luego la represion salvaje en el aniversario de Chilecito, luego el juez Ramos libero la camioneta del robo y al otro día se produjo un 2º daño a la barrera. Al mismo tiempo fue detectada y denunciada por las Asambleas la presencia en la zona un socio de Al Kassar, empresario minero Miguel Solanis, dueño de 25 mil hectáreas en la zona. Ayer esto.

Anoche el pueblo de Famtaina salió a las calles a expresar su repudio y a reafirmar su decisión de defender sus bienes comunes. Niños, ancianos, mujeres y homres, marcharon en la plaza local bajo el tañir de las campanas de la Iglesia.

Hoy a las 11 hs en Capital, marcha de repudio. Esta tarde Asamblea general en Famatina.
La democracia real no se toca.

Ampliaremos luego, cuando lleguen las imágenes de los episodios. Luego de las Asamblea, emitiremos comunicado.

Difundir por favor.
Abrazo.
Ramón Navarro (h)
03822-15526907 - La Rioja Capital
Contacto con Famatina: Carina Diaz Moreno > 03825-15660017
Contacto con Chilecito a Marcela Crabbe > 03825-15669724
Asambleas Ciudadanas Riojanas

Pascua Lama: Strong signal to start the Barrick mine The founder of the firm, Peter Munk,

Pascua Lama: Strong signal to start the Barrick mine
The founder of the firm, Peter Munk, met yesterday with the president, 1 hours and Gioja. The outcome is imminent.

FRom
SILVINA PESTARINO Y ELIZABETH PÉREZ - DIARIO DE CUYO

http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=337304

It was an unprecedented meeting. And heavy weights on the one hand, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, on the other, no less than the maximum founder and chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation, Peter Munk. It was the first time the octogenarian businessman came to the country to meet with the president to talk about the gold mine Pascua Lama Binational located half in San Juan, half in the Third Region of Chile.

Its onset is awaited with great expectation, the mine is the largest in Latin America and will mean an investment of more than U $ S 3,000 million, and apparently yesterday's meeting left more signs that the outcome will be in imminent " I think we will soon have good news, "slipped briefly Gioja.

Officially, the governor told Gioja leaving Casa Rosada who spoke of the characteristics of the enterprise that Cristina was known with certainty, the potential for the region, the tasks that were made from San Juan in time to prevent the initiative is Only the Chilean side and work sharing in commissions and committees to agree on next steps. "What is to expedite the project," said the governor.

And Barrick merely state that the meeting "is part of the meetings with our company has been carrying for some time in both Chile and Argentina, said in a statement Rodrigo Jimenez, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs Barrick.

But undoubtedly, the owner of Barrick with the top executives of the company have traveled to the Casa Rosada to discuss the project is a clear signal of its imminent commencement.

Munk came to the meeting held at 19.30 at the Government House argentina, the chairman and chief executive Aaron Regent, who made it a surprise visit to San Juan last February (see page 3) -, the senior vice president Corporate Affairs Dushnisky Kelvin, and the agent in Buenos Aires, Hernan Zaballa.

According to the governor Gioja course, was to achieve the explicit support of central government to the project: There was talk of the investment costs at a time where there is a deep economic crisis and the international differences in tax matters that have slowed the start of the project . Not to mention the criticism that the project raises environmental, although the impact studies were approved in both jurisdictions.

The governor revealed Gioja then they are going to find players with President Bachelet in Chile, next week.

But the truth is that what transpired is paid in February here in San Juan: That will be announced the commencement this month to begin work in September. And the latter is that if the notice is made in San Juan and Buenos Aires, in this case the presence of President Cristina Kirchner or perhaps together in Chile and Argentina.

Yesterday, also attended the meeting were Minister of Planning Julio De Vido, the National Secretary of Mining, Jorge Mayoral and the Minister of Production, Débora Giorgi.

Gioja will meet today with Cristina for Pascua-Lama

http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=337155

GOVERNMENT OF SAN JUAN
San Juan, April 14 .-

The governor of the province Jose Luis Gioja travel to Buenos Aires which today hold a meeting with the president of the National Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and directors of the company Barrick Gold, on the Easter theme Lama. This was announced at the end of the presentation ceremony of the Provincial Technology Fund to be held this morning at the Ricardo Sala Colombo.

"Despite the doubts that arise, we insist that visit San Juan," the provincial chief executive to report on its upcoming trip to Buenos Aires to meet with the president of the Nation and directors of Barrick Gold to discuss the progress in binational mining project. "I know the issues to be addressed" Gioja said, "but sure to be minor issues in terms of the magnitude of the project, the amount of people going to work there, and depending on the impact the project will have on the region, I'm talking about the third region of Chile and the Province of San Juan. "

In addition, the governor noted that the directors of Barrick will have a similar interview with President Bachelet.


(Original article in spanish below)

Gioja se reunirá hoy con Cristina por Pascua-Lama

Así lo informó el Gobernador al finalizar el acto de presentación del Fondo Tecnológico Provincial. "A pesar de las dudas que algunos plantean, nosotros insistimos que visiten San Juan", dijo.
GOBIERNO DE SAN JUAN
San Juan, 14 de abril.- El gobernador de la provincia ingeniero José Luis Gioja viajará hoy a Capital Federal donde mantendrá una reunión con la presidenta de la Nación, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, y directivos de la empresa Barrick Gold, por el tema Pascua–Lama. Así lo informó al finalizar el acto de presentación del Fondo Tecnológico Provincial que se realizó esta mañana, en la Sala Ricardo Colombo.

“A pesar de las dudas que algunos plantean, nosotros insistimos que visiten San Juan”, dijo el primer mandatario provincial al informar sobre su inminente viaje a Capital Federal para reunirse con la presidenta de la Nación y directivos de Barrick Gold para hablar de los avances en el proyecto binacional minero. “No conozco el temario a tratar” afirmó Gioja, “pero seguramente serán temas menores en función de la magnitud del proyecto, de la cantidad de gente que va a trabajar allí y en función del impacto que el proyecto va a tener en la región, estoy hablando de la III región de Chile y la provincia de San Juan”.

Además, el gobernador señaló que los directivos de Barrick tendrán una entrevista similar con la presidenta Bachelet.