San Juan, Argentina – Calingasta Deliberative Council met yesterday and voted to hold a referendum on exploration and open cast metalliferous mining operations using dangerous substances. “The only antecedent to this popular consultation is the Esquel case” said the Deliberative Council president.
The referendum will be held in 90 days. The Decree calls for an “obligatory popular consultation” so that the people of Calingasta can “express their will by voting YES or NO to exploration and open cast metalliferous mining operations, using cyanide or any toxic substance that can alter, degrade or damage the environment”.
The Pachón copper/gold project, of Noranda, and other major deposits are located in Calingasta.
