Amid strong citizen protests and warnings from environmental organizations, the Senate of Mendoza approved the San Jorge mining project (PSJ) definitively this Tuesday.
The provincial Senate gave the green light to the project with 29 votes in favor, 6 against, and 1 abstention.
Meanwhile, protesters gathered in Plaza Independencia and its surroundings to express themselves against the mining project in the province.
Thus, San Jorge achieved its final approval despite, according to Greenpeace, lacking social license and compromising the water security of Mendoza, an already vulnerable province.
The environmental organization warned that the initiative threatens local communities’ access to water and sensitive ecosystems.
Massive protests against the San Jorge mining project in Mendoza
The mobilizations brought together delegations from Uspallata, San Carlos, and Lavalle, mainly linked to water assemblies.
Thus, yesterday’s atmosphere in the Mendoza Legislature was marked by social tension, with an operation that included barricades and preventive controls to contain the demonstrations.
The citizen presence contrasts with the evaluation process that the provincial government presents as participatory.
Although a 10-day public hearing was held with more than 9,500 contributions, environmental organizations question that the majority rejection was not reflected in the final decision.
It should be noted that, for the government of Mendoza, the approval of the San Jorge mining project is essential.
This is because it is the province’s first proposal with the possibility of accessing the Regime of Incentive for Large Investments (RIGI).
Therefore, despite social rejection, the provincial government led by Alfredo Cornejo celebrates San Jorge.
Alert over the impact of San Jorge on water
The project will use water from El Tigre stream, with a planned consumption of 141 liters per second from an average flow of 318.
A report from the National University of San Luis estimates that the recharge reduction towards the Yalguaraz swamp will be 8%.
In this regard, Greenpeace warned that the San Jorge mining project will be installed in an area of Mendoza with water sources that supply local communities.
“The project compromises the region’s water security,” the organization noted, questioning whether it is possible to maintain the necessary ecological flow in a context of climate crisis.
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre, defended the approval, assuring that it is a “technical, participatory, and transparent” process with strict environmental controls. However, local communities express distrust.
Moreover, as a way to mitigate the expected environmental impact of San Jorge, a Compensation Fund was also approved to restore ecological damage.
Mendoza: what the San Jorge mining project is like
The planned investment reaches u$s 559 million for a project that will operate for 16 years, with the possibility of extending up to 27.
The estimated production is 40,000 tons of fine copper per year, with peaks of 70,000 tons.
Minera San Jorge S.A., formed by the Swiss Zonda Metals GmbH and the Argentine Alberdi Energy, will drive the open-pit exploitation.
The pit will be 1,700 meters long, 950 wide, and up to 350 meters deep.
In this regard, the Director of Mining of Mendoza, Jerónimo Shantal, clarified that the Environmental Impact Statement of San Jorge “is not a blank check,” but an authorization with strict obligations and real-time monitoring.
However, the guarantees do not convince those who oppose the project.
The environmental impact of San Jorge in debate
The San Jorge mining project in Mendoza will generate a tailings deposit of 158 million tons and will use flotation as a concentration method, without cyanide or sulfuric acid.
The system includes water recirculation and ponds for contacted waters.
According to the law approved this Tuesday, the five pillars of environmental control include:
- Continuous water monitoring with automatic stations
- Revegetation plans and protection of vegas and wetlands
- Protection of Huarpe cultural heritage and Qhapaq Ñan
- Control of particulate matter and gas inventory
- Citizen participation with quarterly public reports
Against public demonstrations, Governor Alfredo Cornejo defended the decision as “a historic step” that will allow Mendoza to produce copper “with the same responsibility with which it produces its wines”.
He criticized the Kirchnerism for not supporting with their vote despite declaring themselves in favor of mining.
Despite official guarantees, environmental organizations maintain their rejection of a project they consider incompatible with the preservation of water and mountain ecosystems in a province facing increasing water stress.
