The Iberian Mining Observatory documented Presence of more than a hundred mines in Spain that violate social and/or environmental rightsThis figure represents only the tip of the iceberg, according to the organization, as there are 400 farms waiting to be examined.
The Iberian Mining Observatory was established a year ago to document possible social and environmental rights violations caused by the mining industry in Spain and Portugal and to make public the available evidence on each case.
Ecologistas en Acción, one of the collaborators in the initiative, said in a statement that, as a result of joint research work by dozens of groups, they have documented more than 100 georeferenced cases that reveal the magnitude of the problem.
The Observatory uncovers all kinds of cases of attacks, threats or intimidation against activists; Covert activities carried out without permission or environmental impact assessment; or mines that violate workers’ rights.
Andalusia and Galicia are ahead
“Most of these mines are located in protected areas near towns where they cause health problems and environmental impacts due to dust emissions or water pollution, according to the same source.
They’ve documented so much more so far. 400 environmental violationssuch as spills, dust pollution or damage to cultural assets; and almost 300 violations related to lack of authority or illegal permits, lack of restoration or financial guarantees, and administrative corruption.
Andalusia, with 24 enterprises, and Galicia, with 21 enterprises, are the communities with the highest number of cases of “illegal” mining operations documented by the Observatory. “There is a lack of control on the part of managements” behind these bad practices This creates an atmosphere of generalized impunity.”
“This is just the tip of the iceberg” According to observatory coordinator Joám Evans, there are still 400 cases waiting to be documented. In addition, Evans emphasized that in recent months, organizations in regions where they had not previously investigated have joined forces.
“It’s surprising how much illegal exploitation there is Both the industry and governments insist on the myth of responsible and sustainable mining.“Evans complained.
The Iberian Mining Observatory is an environmental citizenship initiative involving approximately thirty groups, with the support of the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030.
One in the portal Monitoring and early warning system to detect, map and report violations and bad practices, thereby facilitating the enforcement and defense of environmental rights and helping to reduce existing asymmetries between affected communities and the mining sector.
In addition to contributing to the audit and control functions of public administrations through these mechanisms, the project also aims to contribute to better awareness of the impacts caused by mining.
Details of the report will be presented during the Iberian Meeting on the social and environmental impacts of mining, which will be held from 12 to 15 October in Extremadura, on whose territory an “avalanche” of new mining projects has occurred. the lithium mines in Cáceres and Cañaveral, the Aguablanca nickel mine or the Alconchel copper and gold mine.
Map and file of each mine: https://minob.org/espanol/
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Contact address of the environmental department:[email protected]