Protesters maintain posters in Santiago in opposition to the Dominga mining challenge on January 18, 2023.
Chile’s authorities on Wednesday torpedoed a controversial billion-dollar mining challenge on account of be constructed close to a nature reserve that’s house to a uncommon species of penguin.
Environmentalists had criticized the proposed open-pit mine and port challenge within the north of Chile near the National Humboldt Penguin Reserve on account of its potential ecological impression on a singular space identified for its pure variety.
The $2.5 billion challenge was unanimously rejected by left-wing President Gabriel Boric’s cupboard.
“We are assured {that a} sturdy, traceable, evidence-based (choice) has been adopted right here,” mentioned Maisa Rojas, the setting minister.
The challenge aimed toward extracting tens of millions of tons of iron ore and hundreds of tons of copper in an impoverished space of northern Chile round 450 kilometers (280 miles) from Santiago, the capital.
But the realm includes a nature reserve encompassing three islands which are house to 80 p.c of the world’s Humboldt penguins, that are an endangered species, in addition to whales, sea lions and the world’s smallest otter species.
‘Unique ecological worth’
Chilean firm Andes Iron, which additionally wished to construct a therapy and deposits plant, a water desalination plant and a port for loading minerals, mentioned it could attraction the choice.
People have fun after the federal government rejected the Dominga mining challenge on account of its impression on the setting.
“The port is in a spot that has a completely distinctive ecological worth,” mentioned Rojas.
When taking workplace in March 2022, Boric’s authorities had expressed its rejection of the port’s building.
“The Dominga challenge does not simply comply,…
2023-01-19 05:00:02 Chile sinks controversial mining challenge over environmental issues
Source from phys.org