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Original article: “La comuna no puede seguir siendo un área de sacrificio”: Convocan a movilización ciudadana de Penco Lirquén contra proyecto minero de Tierras Raras

«The Community Cannot Remain a Sacrificial Area»

SPOKESPERSON FOR THE «PENCO-LIRQUÉN FREE OF MINING» CAMPAIGN

Camila Arriagada, a resident of Penco, former regional councilor, and spokesperson for the «Penco-Lirquén Free of Mining» campaign, delivered a strong statement on behalf of the residents:

«As residents of Penco-Lirquén, we once again strongly reject this rare earth mining project proposed by Aclara, just as we have done in previous environmental assessments under different names. These projects have even withdrawn from evaluation, as we saw in 2023 when a community consultation showed that the majority of Penco’s population opposed it. After that, a new environmental impact study was submitted for voting, which retains the same detrimental characteristics for our territory.»

Arriagada emphasized the primary technical argument against the project: «We continue to reject it due to the proximity of mining operations to populated areas, some of which are less than 2 km from our urban centers. The environmental damage to ecosystems will be irreversible, as they will alter the quality of water, air, and soil. Our rural areas are particularly concerned, where there is still agricultural potential and the quality of water is vital for food sovereignty.»

The spokesperson also highlighted the project’s incompatibility with local development: «This project contradicts the tourism and culinary vocation of our community. The ‘barrio chino’ (Chinatown) of Lirquén continues to oppose this mining initiative because it supports a local economy that has provided livelihoods and jobs for many generations of our inhabitants.»

Arriagada recalled a critical factor exacerbating the opposition: «Moreover, Lirquén has recently been a disaster zone, still undergoing a slow and painful reconstruction process. This is a fundamental argument in this environmental assessment, as this mining project threatens the safety of our communities.»

Criticism of the Government and Geopolitical Links

The leader expanded her critique of the government, linking the project with international interests and the arms industry: «We reject any agreements that this government might make, as it has already expressed its support for this project through agreements with the United States to enhance its geopolitical positioning in the global export of these critical minerals. We are deeply concerned that rare earth elements play a crucial role in the arms industry. We do not want to be the center of military conflicts due to these extractive sectors, which disregard the welfare of the communities sacrificed in the name of this so-called progress.»

Arriagada also warned of the accumulated environmental impact: «On the climate change front, there is a tremendous alert regarding the synergistic effects that this mining industry would have alongside other emissions-producing sectors, like the local Penco landfill operated by Cemarc, recently highlighted in the media as one of the world’s most polluting landfills. Environmental regulations in Chile are very weak and do not put conditions on treatment generation for industries that handle waste. Residential waste continues to expand. The Penco community cannot continue to be a sacrificial area.»

Call for Citizen Mobilization

In closing her address, Arriagada made a clear call to action: «We invite families and citizens to a large march on Saturday, June 6, starting at 3 PM from the Penco square to the Lirquén square, to traverse our entire community under the motto ‘Penco-Lirquén Free of Mining’.»

She detailed the extensive support the campaign has received: «This mobilization includes residents’ associations from our community and surrounding areas. We have participation from Tomé, primarily from the rural sector, alongside an association of agricultural groups. We also gathered in Rafael to reaffirm our stance. They understand that this would mark the beginning of a mega-mining effort spanning communal and even regional scales, as mining concessions are being proposed as far as Cobquecura in the Ñuble region.»

Finally, she highlighted the breadth of the opposing coalition: «It includes trade unions, social organizations, and environmental groups from our community. The Chamber of Commerce of Penco is part of the opposition to this campaign, as well as the gastronomic and tourist hub of Lirquén’s Chinatown. Sports clubs and trade associations are also involved. We are calling for this demonstration just before the vote on Monday, June 8, because we want to make a firm, living voice, demonstrating the strength of our community. We aim to consolidate a broad citizen movement to defend our territory.»

President of the Union of Neighborhood Associations: «There are Solid Arguments to Say This is Very Damaging to Our Community»

Romualdo Sáez, President of the Union of Neighborhood Associations of Penco-Lirquén, supported the citizens’ rejection: «My name is Romualdo Sáez, I am the President of the Union of Neighborhood Associations. I wish to address the Aclara project, the rare earth project, which aims to establish itself within parts of our urban area. As neighbors, we have manifested our opposition more than once, with nearly 99% of votes against the mine in a significant occasion.»

Sáez was emphatic that the opposition is not arbitrary: «It is not that we do not want it to be installed; it is not because we think it is wrong, but because there are solid arguments to indicate that this is very damaging to our community for several reasons. One is that we are oriented toward tourism, which absolutely contradicts the establishment of this mine. Moreover, all technical and scientific evidence has shown that it is harmful to human health and the ecosystem. Discussions of groundwater and environmental contamination are not speculative; they are scientifically proven by high-level professionals who live in our community.»

In a direct tone, he posed a question to the company’s executives: «What would you do if something like this happened near your home, where you live? I ask the managers of these infamous companies if they would set up with their children to live near what they intend to do here. We have children, babies, and the elderly that will be severely harmed by this.»

Sáez also harshly questioned the employment promises: «When they say ‘look, there are job offers from this company,’ it is a lie, a big lie. If we knew the initial project and how many jobs it would create, the number has now been inflated to convince and try to buy consciousnesses.»

In a final reflection, he warned the authorities: «How many times have the inhabitants of this country warned about the so-called sacrifice zones, and over time, they were proven right? Those who intend to authorize this must realize that, in the future, they will recognize the error they are making.»

Listen to the audio with the details at the following link:

Citizens of Penco-Lirquén Mobilize Against Aclara’s Rare Earth Mining Project

http://www.isuma.tv/node/183209

La entrada «The Community Cannot Remain a Sacrificial Area»: Citizens of Penco-Lirquén Mobilize Against Aclara’s Rare Earth Mining Project se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.