Mapuche: Curarrehue Demonstrating Against Mining

With the perspective of new mining activities in the area, Mapuche raises their voice to warn the local population of environmental and health risks.  

Below is an article published by: Mapuexpress (Original text in Spanish)

More than a hundred of people, between Mapuche, Lonko and governmental authorities got together at Reigolil, in the commune of Curarrehue, to demonstrate their disapproval concerning the mining exploitation that is expected on the area.

This new mining exploitation - explain the Mapuche - will not only create environmental contamination, but also health problems.

It has been two months since the miners started demarcating [in April, 2009] the whole area to identify the existence of a high value and quality material. The Mapuche pointed out that firstly, the process of demarcation was done irregularly, and secondly the local rural population was only informed that this was an initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Condemns future works in the Cordilleran area

The most affected ones are the neighbors of Reigolil, but among those who were demonstrating  were Mapuche from many sectors of the Cordilleran commune.

Lonko, governors and even the mayor of Curarrehue expressed their opinion and concern regarding the problems consequent to this new mining exploitation of the area, which contains millenarians Araucarias trees, clean water and pure air. From now on, new meetings will be arranged as a way of starting negotiations to prevent the installation of those mining activities in the region.

In a peaceful demonstration, the Mapuche notify that within the next two months [July-August 2009] a study concerning the environmental impact, including wider citizen participation (EIA-Estudio de impacto ambiental) should be done by those who will work in the mining project.