Mining Companies and Geothermal firms on alert for glacier protection project
They fear dire consequences if it is prohibited to conduct economic activities in these areas, which is what today poses the initiative in the pipeline and it was presented, including parliamentarians, Giorgio Jackson, Camila Vallejo and Andrea Molina.
The draft law on the protection and preservation of glaciers -motion made by nine parliamentarians, which include Giorgio Jackson, Camila Vallejo and Andrea Molina warning light lit between mining and geothermal energy companies, due to the negative consequences of the initiative on projects in both sectors.
The text of the bill, which is now based in the commission of the House Environment, states that “cannot be performed on glaciers, glaciers areas and periglacial areas (…) activities that generate significant impacts or irreversible damage.” This, according to the text, for activities on the glacier surface, below it or “any other action contrary to the purpose of this Act, or which may directly or indirectly affect the functions of the glacier”.
Specifically, the initiative prohibits the execution of any action that may directly or indirectly affect the functions of a glacier. For mining companies in particular, the implementation of this legislation would mean the end of this sector between the regions of Antofagasta and O’Higgins. The Mining Council, which brings together the leading companies in the industry in the country last Thursday went to the Committee on the Environment of the House to discuss the scope of the bill.
The general manager of the guild, Carlos Urenda, appeared before the instance to explain the position of the great mining and noted in his exposure that is not appropriate to establish absolute prohibitions but to evaluate case by case. He further argued that not all glaciers should have equal degree of protection, as not all perform the same function.”We believe that it is not appropriate to establish absolute prohibitions or restrictions to the involvement of glaciers. We also estimate inconvenient and impractical obligations retroactively on glaciers, “raised in his presentation to the executive of the union which represents the big mining.
“By geomorphological conditions of Chile, mining activity and glaciers are located in a common strip” added Urenda. He also stated that there are only two countries with legislation directly and general protection of glaciers: Argentina and Kyrgyzstan, and it is unclear they actually apply. One aspect of the project that much concern in the mining sector is the proposed environmental audit, linked to rising charges of companies.
The proposal pending in Congress states that charges will rise against projects with statements, environmental impact studies and even against transactions with current permits. This element is strongly questioned. “We estimate this drawback by its impracticability and retroactively affect projects that had the necessary permits,” said Carlos Urenda in his presentation at the Congress.
While the sanctioning process is generated, the legal proposal stipulates that the investigated companies must report within 180 days, extendable for another 90 days, to the authority specified in the regulations. “While the aforementioned regulation is enacted, and the only operation of law shall cease any prohibited or restricted under this law activity,” states the project. The organization proposed that the protection of glaciers remain rooted in the Service Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA).
He also explained that he sees room for improvement in the regulatory environment legislation in the Water Code and the system of protection of biodiversity “that can provide greater certainty in the protection of glaciers,” he added. Recently, Anglo American, mining company which is a partner of Codelco in Los Bronces, requested a hearing to the committee to explain the effects it would have, in its view, the law is promulgated under present conditions.
Impact on geotermal
Among the Geothermal companies that currently perform exploration tasks in the country is also the alarm on. According to the wording of the text, geothermal activity would be prohibited by law, as almost all of the sites found are precisely in areas surrounding glaciers.
“We as an industry have as a primary concern, and we have thus demonstrated, the care and protection of the environment, mainly the glaciers,” says the general manager of the company MRP, Rüdiger Trenkle. The issue is also of The Government interest.
President Bachelet announced in her speech on May 21st, which will legislate to protect the glaciers, and the Ministry of Environment, led by Paul Badenier, is considering three bills related to glaciers, one introduced by Senator Horvath in 2006, another by Senator Girardi in 2008 and the recent parliamentary motion.-
Alongside the Minister of Public Works, Alberto Undurraga, Environment undertook to convene a working group between private actors, public sector, academics, civil society organizations and the community, to hear all points of view. All, as noted by the Minister Badenier in terms of combining common diagnoses and tending to have a consensus draft law, “so that an optimal legislative process is given” .-
Source: Pulso
