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23 February 2012 | Interviews | Extractive industries
Let’s Debate
Communities mobilize against mining in Argentina
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The call for a demonstration was launched for this Thursday 23 February at Plaza de Mayo square in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The calling groups say the recent “uprisings of the communities” of Famatina, Belen, Andalgala, Amaicha, Tinogasta and Cafayate have put the issue of open-pit metal mining in the public agenda.
“These uprisings are the result of years of struggle and of a collective that has been ignored by the national and provincial authorities and the mass media”, say the Union of Citizen Assemblies (UAC).
Real World Radio interviewed Federico Garrot, member of the Citizens Assembly for Life of Chilecito, who told us about the six years of struggle against mining corporation Barrick Gold in La Rioja province.
The leader said that as a result of the struggle of Famatina, the issue of mining is on the agenda and we should use this opportunity to warn about the little benefits of this activity. “Alumbrera has been operating for 15 years and Catamarca is the poorest province in the country”, he said.
