Report Reveal Barrick Gold’s Veladero and Pascua Lama Projects are contaminating Argentina’s Streams and Rivers

mayo 5, 2011

May 4th, 2011 – San Juan Argentina. The Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) published a report today affirming that the streams and rivers in the immediate areas surrounding Barrick Gold’s Pascua Lama and Veladero projects show in some cases that they have higher heavy metal concentrations than is permitted by Argentine law, and in others that heavy metal levels significantly surpass baseline measurements established by the company.
The report prepared by the Italian scientist, and visiting scholar at CEDHA, Flaviano Bianchini, informs that between the years 2002 and 2007, certain metals such as Lead, Arsenic, Aluminum, Mercury, and others dissolved metals, showed constant levels. Yet in 2009, every one of these peaked at levels attaining in some cases, upwards of 150 times the maximum standard values. This would be impossible under natural causes in the short time since Barrick’s arrival at the site, stated Bianchini. Clearly, these peaks are caused by extractive activities from Barrick’s Veladero project as well as exploratory and/or preparatory activities from Pascua Lama. Pascua Lama, it should be noted, has not yet started operations and may not do so if Argentina’s new glacier protection law prevails. Barrick currently attacking the law in Argentine courts.
Additionally, and in particular relation to Barrick’s Veladero project, Lead concentrations, Arsenic, and Aluminum exceed levels permitted by Argentine Law. Measurements of oil and grease levels are also worrisome, as are Mercury readings found by parallel public monitoring conducted by the Center for the Prevention of Mining Industry Contamination (the CIPCAMI) of San Juan Province. Barrick’s reports fail to mention these measurements.
The research conducted by Bianchini was carried out based on public information obtained by CEDHA’s Mining, Environment and Human Rights team, during 2009 and 2010 via a series of information requests submitted to the provincial government of San Juan and with the collaboration of residents of the city of Jachal, a community living downstream from Barrick’s gold mining ventures. San Juan province’s mining authorities initially denied the information to CEDHA and to the community, but following intervention of the province’s Public Defender, the data was obtained, albeit in a much longer time than the law requires.
The registered levels of heavy metals shows real and tangible impacts to San Juan’s rivers and streams. CEDHA is concerned that the mining authorities of the province have not interceded to carry out their due diligence and responsibility in their environmental audit and control capacity. Instead, San Juan has proceeded normally recently approving Barrick’s Environmental Impact Studies for Veladero (November 2010).
A few days ago, San Juan Governor’s brother, Cesar Gioja, who was vying for the governorship until the incumbent governor (his brother) submitted an attempt to reform the constitution so he can be reelected. Cesar Gioja, who currently serves as Senator gave a highly unusual interview to local press attacking his brother-governor, stating that Barrick’s and the governments interest are intertwined, and that Barrick needs the reelection of the governor to keep the profits coming. Cesar Gioja, if elected governor, wants to reform the national mining code to keep more profits for the local government, a position echoed today by many congress members. According to Gioja, Barrick’s earnings from Veladero exceeded the entire provincial budget last year.
CEDHA’s report (available online in Spanish) calls on the Province of San Juan to assume its legal responsibility over the registered contamination, as well as control future social and environmental impacts of all mining activity in its territory.