by José Luis Mendoza
Those who know me, know of my deep concern for Mother Earth, Mother Water, Father Air, Mother Nature... All those who have attended my talks or my presentations at some point know that I can be a bit intense when it comes to defending our beautiful world, which we are slowly polluting, gradually turning it from a paradisiacal Eden into a dump, a backyard of a third-rate tavern in an overcrowded and horrible city. All this we do just to make a few bucks, because we care more about keeping Mr. Money happy than having a clean world. Well, in our neighboring municipality of Dolores, a fierce battle is being waged between 20 innocent and unprotected communities and the criminal Canadian mining company Argonaut Gold, Inc., which aims to exploit its Cerro del Gallo Project in the rural community of San Antón de las Minas. This will negatively and permanently impact many farming families, whom they want to bribe with a water tank or by building a shabby, rundown school.
But... Why does it bother me so much that they're setting up a mine? Let's take a closer look at this troubling topic of open-pit mines.
Open-pit mines and foreign mining companies have been a constant concern in many countries, including Mexico. These operations, driven by greed and a lack of consideration for the environment and local communities, have left a trail of devastation over the years.
One of the main concerns with open-pit mines is their impact on the landscape. These enormous excavations leave scars on the land that are visible from kilometers away. Once idyllic and pristine landscapes become dusty and debris-filled deserts. Indigenous flora and fauna are displaced or destroyed, and the local ecosystem suffers irreversible damage.
But the impact goes beyond the visual. Open-pit mining also contaminates groundwater and surface waters with toxic chemicals used in the extraction process. The runoff and seepage of these chemicals reach nearby rivers and streams, affecting water quality and jeopardizing the health of communities that depend on these water sources for their livelihoods.
In addition to the environmental impact, these foreign mining companies often display a lack of commitment and responsibility towards local communities. In their pursuit of profits, they often displace nearby populations without considering the emotional and social damage this causes. The social fabric is torn apart, and communities are forced to move, losing their cultural and historical ties to the land that they have occupied for generations.
As if that weren't enough, foreign mining companies take the lion's share of the profits generated from the exploitation of Mexico's natural resources. The country, which should benefit from these resources, retains a minuscule percentage compared to the outrageously huge profits sent abroad. It's an unfair and unbalanced exploitation that impoverishes the nation while enriching international corporations.
It's time to raise our voices and say "no" to open-pit mines and the ruthless, criminal foreign mining companies. It's time to protect our natural environment and the well-being of our communities. We need to focus on sustainable and responsible mining practices that don't jeopardize the health of the planet or its inhabitants. It's urgent that decisions regarding the exploitation of our resources be made with transparency, citizen participation, and for the benefit of Mexico as a whole.
Let's promote alternatives that prioritize the conservation of our natural heritage and the dignity of our communities. It's time to protect what is rightfully ours, fight for a sustainable and just future, and say "NO" to mining companies and mining practices that threaten our land and our people. Together, we can create a future where respect for nature and social justice prevail, and where the meager percentage transforms into a significant share that truly benefits Mexico and its people.
Casimiro López Ríos, a resident of the community, expressed concern about the potential mining activities:
