Real de Catorce and stalking of First Majestic
by Juan Carlos Ruiz Guadalajara
Researcher, Colegio de San Luis
On January 31, the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi at the foot of his monument in Mexico City, was created a social platform in order to establish a public commitment to non-violence of various actors involved in the project scenario the Canadian miner First Majestic intends to perform in Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi. This undertaking, accepted by the mining company, set a precedent in favor of truth and responsible dialogue which could become a new social conflict resulting from a larger project of exploitation of precious metals. However, travel the roads of Truth and Non-violence for making decisions and solving conflict is still remote possibility, however desirable and urgent for a country like Mexico, subject to lies, corruption, violence, lack of state and the interests of transnational corporations. This reality was expressed on 11 March during the first Forum on Human Rights and Environment in Real de Catorce with the participation of two state human rights commissions, institutions of state government, residents, civic organizations and employees First Majestic Mexican.
is noteworthy that this was the fourth meeting informativaorganizada without accurate data. To date, First Majestic has not presented any technical study, and least environmental impact statement before Semarnat, documents should be the foundation of any analysis, discussion and democratic decision-making on the damages that the Sierra de Catorce and the shoal lead this silver mining business, if done. In contrast, Canada has gone the way they use their counterparts worldwide, seeking support from local authorities and entrepreneurs, and attract action through offerings that are made behind the backs of citizens, increasing polarization and scenarios of possible violence.
The intent with which the company acted was clear: not give any data on the volume of ore extracted by megaminería aims underground, did not provide figures on the amount of water needed to process your benefit, not provided information to assess the damages which could cause the mining in the undercurrents of the Sierra de Catorce. For the separation of silver by the flotation process, said four products unspecified chemical reagents, waste generation and disposal, water pollution, and so on. Instead, he displayed his propaganda on employment, environment, respect for sacred sites and the supposed benefits wirraritari thinks pour into the area to abate any rejection of the project. Also lied by insisting that a company is 100 percent Mexican and Canadians only get the money. With this approach, First Majestic violates the conditions required for an informed process of decision-making of the population, in a case involving very sensitive issues as the future of water resources, biodiversity and historical-cultural capital throughout the Sierra de Catorce, the rights of indigenous peoples and the existence in the area of \u200b\u200bsacred sites protected. Of the 6 000 327 hectares covering the 22 mining concessions, First Majestic has gone so far as to offer the donation at no cost (sic) of 262 hectares of land sacred to the people Wirrarika, and form part of the reserve Wirikuta. This show is intended as an advocate for indigenous traditions and culture, avoiding the substantive discussion of why the Mexican government granted a concession to an MNC that territory without consulting the people Wirrarika, his ancestral depositary and original owner.
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| Photo: Federico Lepe |
The recent history of Real de Catorce is marked by the lack of government. Its last stretch of fame due to American cinema. Until 1778, no one dared to pick New Spain in search of metals, the wild mountains of Catorce, located on the border of what was then called the New Kingdom of León. At the beginning of the nineteenth century Fourteen established itself as one of the most important royal mines of the English monarchy and circulated throughout Europe in the descriptions of Humboldt, who estimated that the total of 2 million 500 thousand marks of silver annually from Mexico passed Spain, half were taken from three mines, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Real de Catorce. Between the ebb and flow of the booms, Fourteen lived until the late nineteenth century without Ogarrio tunnel, despite the opening of this in 1901, the people came to the late twentieth century as a ghost, no matter how incredible equity value . In the last decade, private investment, new residents and tourism have flowed slowly. Still, the legacy of more than 200 years in contrast to many centuries of presence in Wirikuta Wirrarika. First Majestic would be dangerous to remain in the path it has followed so far. People must take up the requirement of a democratic process of information and analysis allowing them to weigh the consequences of the exchange 15 years of fleeting bonanza for more deterioration and environmental liabilities for future generations. It is also an urgent need from its internal logic, the people Wirrarika leads towards the legitimate self-defense to take their assets cosmogonic, to restore its ties with the indigenous population and avoid Fourteen mediations have only managed to strengthen the company has on its strategies division. Given the importance of what is at stake, it is important to require the State, at all levels, complete with their mediocrity and bring effective programs to detonate from sustainable development capital of the vast historical, cultural and natural Fourteen and inclusive public policies that guarantee the restoration and preservation of Wirikuta, cosmogonic scenario and pilgrimage site, contact and consult their gods Wirrarika Village. Source: La Jornada
April 9, 2011
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2011/04/09/index.php?section=opinion&article=018a2pol&partner = rss
