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Original article: Denuncian que proyecto minero pone en riesgo fuentes de agua en Salar de Tara: Comunidad lickanantay interpuso demanda en tribunal ambiental

Lickanantay Community Files Suit Against Mining Project Endangering Water Sources in Salar de Tara

Cover Photo: Lickanantay Community of Toconao. Published in Mongabay Latam.

Image: Salar de Tara. Photo by: Cristina Dorador. Published in Mongabay Latam

The indigenous community of lickanantay from Toconao has brought two complaints to the First Environmental Court of Antofagasta against the mining project “Aida Explorations” by Minera Plata Carina SpA, a subsidiary of the Canadian corporation Endeavour Silver Corp, which aims to conduct eight diamond drilling tests near the salar de Tara, according to reports from Mongabay Latam.

The project, approved by the Executive Directorate of the Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) on March 20, 2026, contradicts a prior rejection from the Antofagasta Environmental Evaluation Commission in January 2025. The drilling is set to occur on the sacred mountain Tata Poquis—over 4,500 meters high—where the underground springs feed the Jere River and sustain the agricultural oasis of Toconao. The estimated investment is $1.1 million, as detailed by Mongabay Latam.

“We are not opposed to development; indeed, we have reached complex agreements with Chilean state entities regarding lithium extraction in the Salar de Atacama, but our non-negotiable point is that our water source heads remain untouched,” stated Leticia González, an agronomist and member of the Toconao community, in quotes reported by Mongabay Latam.

The conflict escalated when the First Environmental Court halted operations on May 13, but lifted the precautionary measure 13 days later at the request of the SEA and the company. “The lifting of the precautionary measure took us by surprise; we believe it was resolved behind closed doors,” said César Bravo, the community’s lawyer, who filed a request for a public hearing on June 1.

Microbiologist and salar ecosystem expert Cristina Dorador warned via her social media that the Salar de Tara is “a treasure of humanity that we must protect.” The ecosystem is designated as a Ramsar Site and part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, and is critical for nesting the three flamingo species found in Chile, according to the report by Mongabay Latam.

The project also threatens the collection of medicinal plants like tola, chachacoma, and chuquicandia, used in earth and water thanksgiving ceremonies. In 2019, the same company was halted by the Supreme Court in the Arica and Parinacota Region due to the “Cerro Márquez” project. Meanwhile, the residents of Toconao continue to display their banners of rejection, reminding everyone that they are prepared to defend their water source at all costs.

La entrada Lickanantay Community Takes Legal Action Against Mining Project Threatening Water Sources in Salar de Tara se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.