Illegal Truck Transit to Pascua Lama

Explosives go through populated areas of Alto del Carmen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The undersigned organizations denounce new abuses of the mining company Barrick Gold against

Huasco Valley community, abuse involving breach of the law but are made in
collusion with police and other state institutions.

The Canadian transnational mining source said that in October 2009 would begin the tasks of
construction of its controversial Pascua Lama project, although there are a number of requirements
unresolved environmental authority for the company. However, since early October, residents and
the neighboring municipality of Alto del Carmen, we have been threatened by the transit of heavy goods
scale. The first weeks of October we note with concern of increased traffic
mining vehicles, 5 to 6 trucks with his entourage of trucks and Carabineros de Chile
-That are supposed to prevent accidents. All this at about 5 am. Into
Community control could make a truck with plates Enaex (explosives company) and
other loads that refuse to see through to the community, to declare that:

1. Our roads are not suitable for vehicular traffic miners. So says common sense
but also Resolution Environmental Qualification (RCA) Pascua Lama, which requires the
now if you want to go through our town should build a bypass. That work has not been
done, the trucks are going, but the authority does not enforce the law, but sends
Carabineros to suppress the legitimate demands of our community. It’s so absurd, that every time it passes
a truck, to lift the power lines to pass the trucks.

2. Even when we asked for trucks and vans Barrick’s entourage and the police of
Chile who accompanied them, to show the roles that authorize them to transit, none exhibited
permits or customs documents alone as they control the load at night and covertly
are leading to a bi-national area, as required by the Treaty Chile-Argentina Binational Miner. What if
this harmful project begins this way, what guarantees do we have integrity in the future?

3. In these two weeks of more intensive and illegal transit of trucks to the border with Argentina,
occurred in the early morning explosion that woke a few neighbors. Still not quite sure what was
what happened. Who is liable if accidents occur when carrying the poisons that need
used to steal the gold in the mountains? Who will respond if new “accidents” in the
transport of 82 tons daily of explosives as required by this absurd project? We must remember
the street you were transiting, goes to a school metro Alto del Carmen, the
parish, city and central plaza.

The Huasco Valley communities and organizations that defend life and water, we reiterate
we do not want chemical projects opencast mining in the high mountains. We reiterate that the
authorities are serving the mining and non of the communities they represent. Reiterate
that police should uphold the legitimate demands of communities and not the narrow interests of
transnational corporations such as Barrick Gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE:

Defense Council Huasco Valley
Pastoral Safeguarding Creation – Huasco Valley
Atacama Clean – Vallenar
Latin American Observatory for Environmental Conflicts OLCA
Pascua Lama Coordinator against Santiago
Radial Water Seed Program

Jorge Pino – Councilman Vallenar
Alejandro Valencia V. – Councilman Alto del Carmen
Gudelio Ramirez – Councilman Alto del Carmen
Arturo Aliaga Bravo – Councilman Alto del Carmen

Huasco Valley, Santiago, October 28, 2009
Published Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Intendant meets with CORPROA and Barrick expects only “gestures”

Link to Original article in Spanish

 

Yesterday the mayor of Atacama Viviana Ireland, met with executives of Barrick Gold,
opportunity in which raised its concern as expressed by employers in the region and the
community, through the Corporation for the Development of Atacama (CORPROA), regarding the project
would not generate benefits for the area.

The highest regional authority said the need for Barrick delivers signals to show their
commitment to the development of Atacama, and especially with the Province of Huasco, noting that
“We expect the project aims to generate positive change in the area. appreciate the work that
been made in human capital and that is why we hope to fulfill the expectations placed
Pascua Lama, at every level, and to allow full development of the region. “
BARRICK
In this sense, executives of the mining project assessed the meeting with the mayor and is
committed to actions that deliver clear signals of the bet that the company will
through the region. “This project is designed to develop the Atacama, as well as other
we intend to undertake initiatives, “said Barrick President for South America, Igor Gonzalez.
For his part, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Barrick South America, Rodrigo Jimenez said
“We are committed to this region, which accounts for nearly the entire investment
Barrick has in Chile and bet on its development. “
CORPROA
Faced with these statements, the president of the Corporation for the Development of Atacama (CORPROA)
Charles Nicholas, gave his opinion: “It seems very well that there is a statement of intentions but
now we must wait for the concrete steps that will give Barrick. That project management is
Vallenar or located in Copiapo, that would be a concrete step, “adding that” we must give the
opportunity to demonstrate what they (Barrick) say is true. We need not doubt
if what they say is true, but now we would like to see concrete action. “
The representative of employers said about changes that should come, “the
change of attitude should be immediate by Barrick. We already six months should
have a diagnosis of changes in attitude of the mining company. As we raise our CORPROA
Pascua Lama is concerned that a very important project for the region, which would not Atacama
be the one receiving the benefits. Well, now we must be vigilant and know that all Barrick
entrepreneurs in the private and public sector will be aware of what they do and now depends on them “
Nicholas emphasized.

 

Intendenta se reúne con Barrick y Corproa espera más que “gestos”

Ramos Amelia Wilson Mamani and Galleguillos in defense of The Geyse

Ramos Amelia Wilson Mamani and Galleguillos in defense of The Geysers October 25, 2009 by:

DOWN THE MINE (abajolamina@gmail.com)

More than 1500 km walked for 15 days for a not from the president Bachelet for care, disaster response Geysers, their ancestral homeland. Sonia Ramos Mamani and Amelia decided, in a full belief and courageous action, leave from their land, from Calama to Santiago, on foot, without further protection than that faith that they would be protected and defended by the land they want to take care with their lives if necessary. Were not told either family or friends, because they knew they would be arrested. And they wanted to make this show of love for the land no matter how difficult it was. And they succeeded. Although in his long journey led several times to being detained by the broad economic policy guidelines, the IDPs, who followed them closely. Size is the fear that the State of Chile has them these ladies, called the “grandmothers Geysers” by means press. One example discussed is the one who lived the last days, in which marched relentlessly, hitching rides, even by deviating from arrest. In a at which time dams were to be taken by police, alone, without further defense that his conviction, an appeal of Senator Navarro, they know no more than a Eplica miracle saved them from being in jail. In their walk they found many wonderful people and wanted acopañarlas protect them, and also entrusted them with their pain at so much injustice to the mother land. As is the case of community Huasco Diaguita Altino and the father of the area, Elvidio cure Santander, which met in Alto del Carmen, in its passage through Vallenar, and who are protesting against the Pascua Lama mining project, the questioned Barrick Gold Corp. And as the native peoples, despite their different places of origin, are united and solidarity in the way they were joined by Wilson Galleguillos, Lickanantay village, who Santiago also came along with these brave ladies.

On arrival in Santiago, at about 10:30 hrs. Friday 23 October, they had hope of being received by the president, because they were not ignorant of the treatment brother Mapuche people had been receiving by the executive. However, no why would falter. They had also been receiving numerous calls of support from Santiago of people who would hope and support that day. This is what happened the night before, from the seminar on water held in the CONFERRE, Bishop Aysen, Luis Infanti, along with Ricardo Petrella, EU advisor, professor globalization and information society at the University of Leuven, and one of the founders of the International Committee for a World Water Contract, made contact phone with them to show them so that would be present during the conference who would perform in the Plaza of the Constitution the next day. Likewise, people members of the movement against dams in Aysen, the mining project Pascua Lama and community Chusmiza Usmagama, among others, expressed their desire to be present, making this something unifying activity. This was also the judge Juan Guzman Tapia. At about 11:30 hrs eventually began the press conference, while only few blocks against Hidroaysén organized citizens were repressed versus CONAMA, causing even being arrested were the Bishop of Aysen and Sen. Girardi, who managed to join the grandmothers of the Geysers. Some people Against Pascua-Lama, which had been reported in the morning with “grandmothers Geysers, took delivery of these shirts with the logo of Pascua-Lama, making clear that these struggles must be everyone’s and that’s enough of isolated struggles, individual, and that should work in solidarity and mutual support, joined the “NO TO Pascua-Lama, OUT BARRICK. After coordinating the delivery of application hosting, undertook road to currency, along with Senators Girardi and Navarro, and Bishop Infanti, followed by and dozens of protesters had gathered. They were received by Carolina Toha who, after having said that would be received, corrected himself, saying that it could. Therein is that Mrs. Amelia could not contain his impotence, and, addressing the cameras, said it was disrespectful, not for them as individuals, but for the people of Chile and the native peoples and that it was ridiculous that they could enter and freely leave the house for all those Chileans who is the currency. This, taking in mind that a week earlier had submitted a letter asking for a meeting, the northern organizations that support the cause of the Geysers. So also tried force out these two women wrestlers, peacefully, had reached “dialogue” as is always the call made by the government to lead the people originating and demands. The walkers then left the palace without losing its dignity and integrity, stating that this gives much more strength to fight for their land and Geysers from the legacy for all Chileans. However, at about 14:30 hrs., When they were reflecting on the lived near the CONFERRE, received a call from the chief of staff Rosende Patrick’s undersecretary of the interior, saying that now would be received to 16:00 hrs. Against this were prepared, although it was clear to him who had come to be received only by President Michelle Bachelet. They came back to La Moneda, having previously communicated with media newspaper to cover the story, where they were received inmediantamente. In the This meeting was the area Senator Jose Antonio Gomez, who will said the State Defense Council against those who sue responsible. However, Sonia, Amelia, and Wilson told them that, appreciated gesture, and that had been presented, because, unlike the Chilean state, they do had respect and education, but who would not sit to talk with anyone other than the president and, since it could not receive them, they were sorry, but it would retire, that which went for the respective radio told CNN and Bio – Bio, causing the surprise of his partners.

That’s how they left the building again of all Chileans, believing more complete than ever and with the satisfaction of having done. Subsequently, rested and spent the night at a gathering for friends, the next morning radio address New World in an interview, ending their long journey over the defense of The Geysers, the which now continue from the north. –

More info coming soon on website: www.abajolamina.cl

ORIGINAL ARTICLE IN SPANISH

http://www.abajolamina.cl/

Topic Pascua Lama will reach the Ministry of Mining

Topic Pascua Lama will reach the Ministry of Mining

For next week’s meeting was scheduled between Senator Baldo Prokurica (RN) and Minister of Mining, Santiago González, to address the controversy that arose following statements CORPROA President, Carlos Nicolás, regarding Barrick’s participation in the regional mining. 
Baldo said Sen. Prokurica be concerned about corporate responsibility is mine and it should be noted that among other things, hiring local workers and encourage work in the province of Huasco for further growth. “The company has to hire local workers and also work with providers in our region,” he said. 
Not only did the senator stressed the issue because, according to Nicholas’s criticism the company will install their offices for the Pascua-Lama project in the Coquimbo Region. 
Given this, Prokurica explained that it is unacceptable that the mining company, the tasks are being undertaken in the province of Huasco, install its hub in this region at the expense of Atacama. “I think this would hurt deeply Huasco province and therefore I have requested a meeting the Minister of Mines, in order to take contact with this company and can recommend and hopefully demand that has to get to the region Atacama.

Tema Pascua Lama llegará hasta el Ministerio de Minería

Para la próxima semana quedó programada la reunión entre el senador Baldo Prokurica (RN) y el ministro de Minería, Santiago González, para tratar la polémica surgida luego de las declaraciones del presidente de Corproa, Carlos Nicolás, respecto a la participación de Barrick en la minería regional.

El senador Baldo Prokurica dijo estár preocupado por la responsabilidad empresarial de esta minera y señaló que ésta debe entre otras cosas, contratar mano de obra local e incentivar el trabajo en la provincia de Huasco para un mayor crecimiento. “La empresa tiene que contratar mano de obra local y además trabajar con proveedores de nuestra región”, recalcó.

Pero no sólo el senador hizo énfasis en este tema porque según las críticas de Nicolás la empresa instalará sus oficinas, para el proyecto Pascua-Lama en la Región de Coquimbo.

Ante esto, Prokurica explicó que es inaceptable, que la empresa minera, siendo que las faenas se realizarán en la provincia de Huasco, instale su centro de operaciones en esta región en desmedro de Atacama. “Yo creo que esta situación dañaría profundamente a la provincia de Huasco y por lo tanto le he pedido una reunión al ministro de Minería, con la finalidad de que tome contacto con esta empresa y pueda recomendarle y ojalá exigirle que tiene que ponerse con la región de Atacama”.

Prokurica concern itself with Barrick

Senator Baldo Prokurica (RN) expressed concern 
then the finance chairman of the CORPROA, Carlos 
Nicholas, who argued that the benefits of Passover Project 
Lama will lead them to another region. 
In this regard the senator said “the commitment 
these companies should have with the region and its people, are 
part of the project itself, so that no Atacama 
repeat what has been our history of companies 
bring in workers from Santiago, we should live with
negative externalities of mining and our 
suppliers, local businessmen and entrepreneurs are looking 
as the development goes outside his home. 
Prokurica called on the authorities and intendenta 
Government to take all measures for this company 
and others that are installed acquire and implement the commitment of 
hire local labor.

Prokurica se suma a preocupación por Barrick

El senador Baldo Prokurica (RN) manifestó su preocupación luego de los dichos del presidente de la Corproa, Carlos Nicolás, quien sostuvo que los beneficios del Proyecto Pascua Lama se los llevarían a otra región. Al respecto el parlamentario expresó que “el compromiso que estas empresas deben tener con la región y su gente, forman parte del proyecto mismo, de tal manera que en Atacama no repitamos lo que ha sido nuestra historia de empresas que traen trabajadores de Santiago, debamos convivir con externalidades negativas que tiene la minería y nuestros proveedores, comerciantes y empresarios locales queden mirando como el desarrollo pasa por fuera de su casa”. Prokurica hizo un llamado a la intendenta y a las autoridades de Gobierno a adoptar todas las medidas para que esta empresa y otras que se instalen adquieran y cumplan el compromiso de contratar mano de obra local.

Participación Social Una Patria para todos Primera B y el descenso a Tercera División Los paros Congreso Escolar llega a Copiapó Ahora trabajores municipales también van por su deuda  Ver más

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Barrick to acquire 70% of the El Morro project

Xstrata Copper Chile signed a formal agreement for sale 
Barrick Gold, for the participation of 70 per cent of 
El Morro project, according to both companies through 
press releases. The value of the transfer-of 
realized, consider the amount of $ 465 million. 
THE NEW ROLE OF GOLD 
While the agreement is signed between the companies, not yet 
can be confirmed because the remaining 30 percent of 
El Morro, is for New Gold, a company that has the 
first option to acquire 70 percent interest, 
counting until 11 January next year to exercise their 
right. Therefore, should not take effect New Gold 
the clause, before January 30, 2010 could be fulfilled 
the transaction between Xstrata and Barrick. 
In determining who took Charlie Sartain 
Xstrata Copper Chief Executive, said “ 
agreement, pointing to the divestment of our stake 
our project El Morro, is the fruitful result of a 
competitive negotiation process. Although we demonstrated by 
feasibility study through the El Morro project 
had strong prospects, the agreement we have signed 
with Barrick is a recognition that the project 
create greater value as part of Barrick’s portfolio that 
that of Xstrata Copper. This is based on the possible 
synergies arising from the current interests of Barrick 
in the region and the important portfolio 
Xstrata internal growth may prioritize different 
countries, including northern Chile. 
SUMMARY THREE FISH IN ATACAMA 
The chairman of Barrick Gold, Aaron Regent, said that “the 
acquisition of a 70 per cent of El Morro add 
another great resource of gold and copper high-quality portfolio 
Barrick projects. Chile is an attractive country for 
mining development in which Barrick has knowledge and 
considerable experience. 
If realized the transaction, Barrick would have three 
deposits in Atacama, because it would add to El Morro 
Pascua Lama and Cerro Casale. As indicated in the statement 
Barrick, “El Morro is located 70 km north of 
Pascua Lama, which is starting its construction, and 110 
miles south of the Cerro Casale project, “adding that 
with this, “El Morro adds 800 square kilometers of 
land exploration in the Atacama and extends the properties 
Barrick called District north of Frontera, which owns 
an area of 2 thousand 600 square kilometers and is located 
around the Argentine-Chilean project Pascua Lama and the 
Veladero mine in Argentina. “ 
DEPOSIT 
According to the statement, El Morro is a project of gold and 
copper advanced. The total measured and indicated resources 
gold reach 8.3 million ounces and total resources 
measured and indicated copper are about 6 thousand 300 
million pounds. As a requirement of his original entry 
in the El Morro project, Xstrata has invested approximately 70 
million in a feasibility study, which 
Barrick also acquired directly from Xstrata as 
part of this transaction. 
In this regard, Senior Vice President Exploration 
Global Barrick, said “we project a potential 
significant growth of the resource. We also 
significant amount of solid objects ready to 
drilling outside the resource area and have planned a 
intensive exploration program to test “. 
Thus shall wait until next year to see if 
New Gold decide to purchase the remaining 70 percent for 
become sole owner of El Morro, or 
materialize the trasacción for Barrick.

Barrick adquiriría 70% del proyecto El Morro

Xstrata Copper Chile suscribió un acuerdo formal de venta con Barrick Gold, por la participación del 70 por ciento del proyecto El Morro, según informaron ambas compañías a través de comunicados de prensa. El valor de la transferencia -de concretarse-, considera un monto de 465 millones de dólares.

EL PAPEL DE NEW GOLD

Si bien el acuerdo está firmado entre ambas compañías, aún no se puede confirmar debido a que el 30 por ciento restante de El Morro, corresponde a New Gold, empresa que cuenta con la primera opción de adquirir el 70 por ciento de interés, contando hasta el 11 de enero del próximo año para ejercer su derecho. Por lo tanto, en caso que New Gold no haga efectiva la cláusula, antes del 30 de enero de 2010 se podría concretar la transacción entre Xstrata y Barrick.

Respecto de la determinación que tomaron, Charlie Sartain, presidente ejecutivo de Xstrata Copper, indicó que “el acuerdo, que apunta a la desinversión de nuestra participación de nuestro proyecto El Morro, es el resultado fructífero de un proceso de negociación competitiva. Si bien demostramos por medio del estudio de factibilidad que el proyecto El Morro presentaba sólidas perspectivas, el acuerdo que hemos suscrito con Barrick constituye un reconocimiento que el proyecto creará mayor valor como parte de la cartera de Barrick que de aquella de Xstrata Copper. Ello se basa en las posibles sinergias que se derivan de los actuales intereses de Barrick en la región y de la importante cartera de proyectos de crecimiento interno que Xstrata podrá priorizar en diversos países, entre ellos, el norte de Chile”.

SUMARÍA TRES FAENAS EN ATACAMA

El presidente de Barrick Gold, Aaron Regent, señaló que “la adquisición del interés del 70 por ciento de El Morro agregará otro gran recurso de oro y cobre de alta calidad a la cartera de proyectos de Barrick. Chile es un país atractivo para el desarrollo minero en el cual Barrick tiene conocimientos y experiencias considerables”.

De concretarse la transacción, Barrick contaría con tres yacimientos en Atacama, debido a que El Morro se sumaría a Pascua Lama y Cerro Casale. Según indicaron en el comunicado de Barrick, “El Morro se ubica 70 kilómetros al norte de Pascua Lama, el cual está iniciando su construcción, y a 110 kilómetros al sur del proyecto Cerro Casale”, agregando que con esto, “El Morro agrega 800 kilómetros cuadrados de terrenos de exploración en Atacama y extiende las propiedades de Barrick al norte del llamado Distrito Frontera, que posee un área de 2 mil 600 kilómetros cuadrados y está ubicado alrededor del proyecto chileno-argentino Pascua Lama y de la mina Veladero en Argentina”.

YACIMIENTO

Según indica el comunicado, El Morro es un proyecto de oro y cobre avanzado. El total de recursos medidos e indicados de oro alcanzan los 8,3 millones de onzas y el total de recursos medidos e indicados de cobre son de aproximadamente 6 mil 300 millones de libras. Como requerimiento de su ingreso original en el proyecto El Morro, Xstrata invirtió aproximadamente 70 millones de dólares en un estudio de factibilidad, el cual Barrick también está adquiriendo directamente de Xstrata como parte de esta transacción.

Al respecto, el vicepresidente senior de Exploraciones Globales de Barrick, manifestó que “proyectamos un potencial de crecimiento significativo del recurso. Vemos también una cantidad importante de sólidos objetivos listos para perforación fuera del área del recurso y hemos planificado un intensivo programa de exploración para probarlos”.

De este modo, quedará esperar hasta el próximo año para ver si New Gold decide adquirir el 70 por ciento restante para transformarse en única propietaria de El Morro, o se concretará la trasacción a favor de Barrick.

“It’s not fair that resources are leaving here”

The candidate for the fifth district, Anita Quiroga, expressed 
support for the statements issued by the president of the 
Development Corporation of Atacama (CORPROA), Carlos
Nicholas, who issued strong criticism of the actions
he has done so far the owner of Easter 
Lama, Barrick Gold. 
The candidate said that “it is not fair projects 
exploit our natural resources to focus their benefits 
other regions “, as in this case, in which all 
activities are centralized in the Fourth Region.

No es justo que los recursos se vayan

La candidata por el quinto distrito, Anita Quiroga, expresó su apoyo hacia las declaraciones emitidas por el presidente de la Corporación para el Desarrollo de Atacama (Corproa), Carlos Nicolás, quien emitió duras críticas respecto de las acciones que ha realizado hasta el momento la propietaria de Pascua Lama, Barrick Gold.

La candidata manifestó que “no es justo que los proyectos que explotan nuestros recursos naturales centren sus beneficios en otras regiones”, como ocurrió en este caso, en que todas las actividades se están centralizando en la Cuarta Región”.

Barrick regretted the “tone” of declarations of CORPROA

“We want to reiterate that whenever possible, we prioritize 
the hiring of local labor and the award of 
contracts to suppliers of goods and services locally and 
regional “said a press release by the 
Corporate Affairs Manager of Barrick Chile, Rodrigo
Rivas (pictured). A completely different assertion 
the harsh criticism made in this field by Carlos 
Nicholas, president of the Corporation for the Development of 
Atacama (CORPROA). 
According to the representative of employers, this corporation is 
felt “used” because they have sought their support for 
obtain environmental permits and the corresponding 
approval of the authorities. “Once they realized their 
objectives, they will transform into a Pascua Lama project 
will leave a hole in the Atacama, while the benefits are 
are going to lead to another region, “stated Nicholas. 
BENEFITS 
However, at the mine said that to date, and 
has worked with over 200 local suppliers, a 
situation that has led directly to the merchants of
the region. 
However, installing the access to the mine does not consider 
Atacama territory, and whether the region of Coquimbo, 
being one of the main points of the discomfort 
CORPROA president. 
One reason for this criticism is that there 
considerable interest and confidence in the community vallenarina, 
Vallenar who thought that would be a transit city 
bound, Pascua Lama, which also entail the boom 
mining area. 
VALLENAR 
However, Rodrigo Rivas insisted that “we understand the 
interest that exists in many local entrepreneurs, but it’s 
worth remembering that this project is just beginning, so 
that the greatest positive economic and social impacts 
will take place once the works are realized on a large 
scale. “Also, said they regretted the” tone “of the
CORPROA statements, especially since several 
Sometimes they would have explained to basics, the why 
was made to enter the mine by way of Punta 
Colorada, located in the town of La Higuera in the region of 
Coquimbo.

Barrick lamentó el “tono” de las declaraciones de Corproa

“Queremos reiterar que siempre que sea posible, priorizaremos la contratación de mano de obra local y la adjudicación de contratos a proveedores de bienes y servicios locales y regionales” aseguró mediante un comunicado de prensa el gerente de Asuntos Corporativos de Barrick Chile, Rodrigo Rivas (en la foto). Una aseveración completamente diferente a las duras críticas, realizadas en esta materia por Carlos Nicolás, presidente de la Corporación para el Desarrollo de Atacama (Corproa). Según el representante de los empresarios, esta corporación se sintió “utilizada” porque se habría buscado su apoyo para conseguir los permisos ambientales correspondientes y la aprobación de las autoridades. “Una vez que lograron sus objetivos, van a transformar a Pascua Lama en un proyecto que va a dejar un hoyo en Atacama, mientras que los beneficios se los van a llevar a otra región”, puntualizó Nicolás. BENEFICIOS A pesar de ello, en la minera afirmaron que hasta la fecha, ya se ha trabajado con más de 200 proveedores locales, una situación que ha favorecido directamente a los comerciantes de la región. Sin embargo, la instalación del acceso a la faena no considera el territorio atacameño, y sí el de la región de Coquimbo, siendo uno de los puntos principales de la molestia del presidente de la Corproa. Uno de los motivos de esta crítica, radica en que existía bastante interés y confianza en la comunidad vallenarina, quienes pensaban que Vallenar sería una ciudad de tránsito obligado, a Pascua Lama, lo que acarrearía también la bonanza minera a la zona. VALLENAR A pesar de ello, Rodrigo Rivas insistió que “comprendemos el interés que existe en muchos empresarios locales, pero vale la pena recordar que este proyecto está recién comenzando, por lo que los mayores impactos positivos económicos y sociales tendrán lugar una vez que se concreten las obras a gran escala”. Así mismo, afirmó que lamentan el “tono” de las declaraciones de Corproa, sobre todo porque en varias ocasiones se les habría explicado con fundamentos, el por qué se realizó la entrada a la faena por el camino de Punta Colorada, ubicado en la comuna de La Higuera en la región de Coquimbo.

Mayor of Vallenar Barrick support criticism

“Disappointment is the word that summarizes what we feel today 
Vallenar residents, because we came to cheat 
our own nose, “he argued Cristian Tapia, Mayor 
Vallenar. 
Who was emphatic in pointing out that it fully shares 
expressed by the president of the CORPROA. 
Although he confessed that “this is not a new topic, I always 
Barrick doubts remained, for me it is a project with 
many question marks. “ 
The mayor took the opportunity to inform this theme
will be studied by the Chilean Association 
Municipalities, in order to defend the rights of 
inhabitants. 
This is because, according to Tapia, were many people who saw 
Pascua Lama, an economically.

Alcalde de Vallenar apoyó críticas a minera Barrick

CORPROA launches harsh criticism against Barrick Gol

The chairman of the Corporation for the Development of Atacama 
(CORPROA), Carlos Nicolás, issued harsh criticism of 
the actions undertaken so far the owner 
Pascua Lama, Barrick Gold. “As a corporation we decided 
make this statement because we are used, 
because they sought our support to get their permits 
environment and the permission of the authorities, and once 
achieved their goals, they will transform into a Pascua Lama 
project which will leave a hole in the Atacama, while the 
profits are going to take the other region, and we do not seem 
fair “. 
As the helmsman of CORPROA, these remarks came “to 
Following the developments that have been 
giving to this project, and once obtained Barrick 
environmental clearance and began with the stage of
construction. Here comes our concern when we began 
to see that all activities were centralized in the 
Fourth Region, that access to the task would be done by a 
road from La Serena, and therefore all communication 
land the project would be the fourth region, shares
leave us out. “Nicholas adds that” Vallenar had great 
expectations for development that are going to be disappointed. 
Its inhabitants were prepared, built hotels, extended 
supermarkets, but it will be in vain as the capital of the 
Huasco province will not even be a city of 
transit, because access to the mine is 70 kilometers 
north of La Serena. 
ARE NOT CONSIDERED 
“Virtually all major companies in the region are 
members of CORPROA and most have not been invited to 
participate in the tender. Vecchiola For example, a
of the largest companies in the north, was not invited to 
tender process works from the access road to the 
slaughter that took place in La Serena, “said Carlos Nicolás 
regarding the “low” participation has been given to
the local suppliers. 
“This is serious because we always think that the great benefit 
he was handing Pascua Lama and other projects that come 
to Atacama, was that most of the services 
hired would be from the region, which would become 
resources which would be in the Atacama “said President 
CORPROA. 
Warned 
Nicholas said the situation that is occurring in the 
Currently at the time said: “The problem is 
pose Barrick managers four years ago when 
We lived to present the project, when they told us 
headquarters would be located in the Fourth Region,
making it physically difficult that its executives have 
contact with our business, but was not deemed “ 
adding that “we expect a change in attitude of the company; 
to correct the path it has taken until today, and that this 
is a warning, a warning light for as 
atacameños we concerned about this situation but we must give the 
clear signals of what the position of entrepreneurs
Atacama, and the authorities should do the same, because 
work toward a common goal which is to make profit 
for the region, “he concluded.

 

Corproa lanza duras críticas en contra de Barrick Gold

 

El presidente de la Corporación para el Desarrollo de Atacama (Corproa), Carlos Nicolás, emitió duras críticas respecto de las acciones que ha realizado hasta el momento la propietaria de Pascua Lama, Barrick Gold. “Como corporación decidimos hacer esta declaración debido a que nos sentimos utilizados, porque buscaron nuestro apoyo para conseguir sus permisos ambientales y la venia de las autoridades, y una vez que lograron sus objetivos, van a transformar a Pascua Lama en un proyecto que va a dejar un hoyo en Atacama, mientras que los beneficios se los va a llevar otra región, y eso no nos parece justo”.

Según el timonel de Corproa, estas declaraciones surgieron “a raíz del desarrollo de los acontecimientos que se han ido dando con este proyecto; una vez que Barrick obtuvo la autorización ambiental y comenzaron con la etapa de construcción. Allí nace nuestra preocupación, cuando empezamos a ver que todas las actividades se estaban centralizando en la Cuarta Región; que el acceso a la faena se iba a hacer por un camino desde La Serena, y por lo tanto toda la comunicación terrestre al proyecto sería por la cuarta región, acciones que nos dejan afuera”. Nicolás agrega que “Vallenar tenía grandes expectativas para su desarrollo, que se van a ver frustradas. Sus habitantes se prepararon, construyeron hoteles, ampliaron supermercados, pero va a ser en vano ya que la capital de la provincia del Huasco ni siquiera va a ser una ciudad de tránsito, porque el acceso a la faena estará 70 kilómetros al norte de La Serena”.

NO SON CONSIDERADAS

“Prácticamente todas las empresas importantes de la región son socias de Corproa y la mayoría no han sido invitadas a participar de la licitación. Por ejemplo Vecchiola, que es una de las empresas más grandes del norte, no fue invitada al proceso de licitación de las obras del camino de acceso a la faena que se realizó en La Serena”, indicó Carlos Nicolás respecto de la “escasa” participación que se le ha otorgado a las proveedoras locales.

“Esto es grave, porque siempre pensamos que el gran beneficio que iba a entregar Pascua Lama y otros proyectos que vienen para Atacama, era que la mayoría de los servicios que se contratarían serían de la región, lo que se transformaría en recursos que quedarían en Atacama”, manifestó el presidente de Corproa.

LO ADVIRTIÓ

Nicolás señaló que la situación que se está produciendo en la actualidad la advirtió en su momento: “el problema lo planteamos a los gerentes de Barrick hace cuatro años cuando nos vivieron a presentar el proyecto, cuando nos dijeron que sus oficinas centrales estarían ubicadas en la Cuarta Región, lo que hace físicamente muy difícil que sus ejecutivos tengan contacto con nuestros empresarios, pero no se consideró”, agregando que “esperamos un cambio de actitud de la empresa; que rectifique el camino que ha tomado hasta hoy, y que éste sea un llamado de atención, una luz de alerta porque como atacameños nos preocupa esta situación, pero hay que dar las señales claras de cuál es la posición de los empresarios de Atacama, y las autoridades deberían hacer lo mismo, porque trabajamos por un objetivo común que es obtener beneficios para la región”, finalizó.