Corrupt provincial lawmakers repeal mining prohibition -- La Rioja Citizens Vow to Continue Struggle for Famatina Range in Argentina

August 7, 2008. La Rioja, Argentina:

Legislators announced the repeal of a year-old law which had prohibited open-pit metals mining in the province of La Rioja, Argentina. Provincial laws Nº 8137, 8138 were passed in March of 2007 in a widespread struggle carried out in La Rioja against Barrick Gold's Famatina headwaters gold mining project in this arid agricultural province. In March 2007, citizens blockaded mining roads, forcing Barrick Gold to halt exploration activities. A province-wide movement against open-pit metals mining activities led to Barrick Gold’s withdrawal, the downfall of the corrupt pro-mining governor Angel Maza, the scheduling of a province-wide referendum regarding mining and two laws which prohibited open-pit metals mining operations.

Although new governor Beder Herrera initially aligned himself with anti-mining citizens, his promises soon proved empty. Beder Herrera cancelled the scheduled provincial referendum of August of 2007, throughout the year he and his staff continuing carrying out negotiations with international uranium and gold mining companies .

This August 7, 2008, in a tense climate, provincial lawmakers voted to repeal laws Nº 8137, 8138 and “whatever norms which oppose the present,” and created a new "Environmental Commission to evaluate and approve future open-pit mining operations". As lawmakers prepared their votes, citizen assemblies present in the chambers were abruptly removed by police, and supporters of the mining prohibition were not allowed into the chambers for the voting.

After the mining prohibition was repealed by a majority vote, community assemblies vowed to resist with organized struggle, as they have for the past three years, against the complicity and impunity of the government and mining firms.

On August 12, 2007 citizens gathered in front of the Capital: “Repealing this law mocks the democratic decision made by citizens of the province, and new mining operations will certainly be harmful to all citizens of La Rioja,” said assembly member Marcela Kraft. Well-known musician Ramón Navarro, who has received threats and reprisals for his opposition to mining activities, denounced Beder Herrera, as having turned his back on his discourse of 2007 and now is showing his true pro-mining intentions. Navarro played an audio tape of governor Beder Herrera telling citizens in 2007, “Do you know how much money Barrick came to this town with? They came to Chilecito, here with $50,000 to spread around. How did we stop Barrick? We wouldn’t have had a chance to stop them if it weren’t for the citizen assemblies.” Navarro stated that Beder Herrera had “told us he would defend the environment, and now he has repealed the law and opened the doors to Barrick Gold and big mining in La Rioja,”



For More Information:
Assembly of Citizens for Life, La Rioja
Assembly Social Environmental Catamarca
www.noalamina.org

David Modersbach, UNR Rosario/Berkeley, CA
 dmoders@yahoo.com