Important Action Alert Concerning Costa Rica's Environment
11/3/97
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Headline: Important Action Alert Concerning Costa Rica's Environment
Source: Costa Rican Ecologist Association-Friends of the Earth Costa Rica
Date: 11/3/97
San Jos,, Costa Rica September, 1997
To all organizations and people of the world who are fighting to build
socially just and environmentally healthy societies , to all the friends
of Costa Rica.
Dear Friends,
The National Front Against Open Pit Gold Mining (Frente) in Costa Rica is a
broad, representative coalition made up of environmental, human rights,
campesino, indigenous, student, religious and women's organizations as
well as communities that have organized themselves to confront the threat
of open pit gold mining projects. We are calling upon you to demonstrate
your solidarity with our struggle in defense of the environment and the
right of the local Costa Rican communities to a socially just and
environmentally healthy society that meets the long term needs of our
country and of our planet.
During the last two years, with the support of thousands of individuals and
groups, the organizations that form part of the Frente have devoted their
energy towards studying and denouncing one of the largest threats to the
well-being of the environment and local communities of our country, this
being the arrival of transnational gold mining companies from different
parts of the world. These corporations, primarily Canadian, are interested
in developing what may be considered one of the most devastating industrial
activities from both an environmental and social point of view; Open Pit
Cyanide Heap Leaching Gold Mining.
Currently, close to 30 transnational corporations are in the process of
developing projects for gold exploration and exploitation in Costa Rica.
Included in this list of mining companies are the Canadian corporations
PLACER DOME INC. and AMERICAN BARRICK GOLD. These two companies are listed
among the six largest gold mining corporations in the world.
In our country, the interests of these transnational corporations are
affecting and will affect protected areas of enormous ecological and
cultural value as well as their influential areas and buffer zones. The
area that has been solicited or granted a concession for open pit gold
mining activity comes to approximately 408,000 hectars - 4080 squared
kilometers- which is equivalent to 8% of our national territory.
The bi-national basin of the San Juan River - a natural border between
Costa Rica and Nicaragua and the most extensive watershed found in Central
America - is one of the most threatened areas. Here 250,000 hectares >have
een asked in concession for exploration. The ecological and cultural
richness of this region has stimulated the creation of a network of
protected areas including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges,
Biological Reserves, Forest Reserves, Biological Corridors and important
wetland areas on both sides of the border, called the International System
of Protected Areas for Peace (SIAPAZ). This area has been declared by the
governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua to be the most important initiative
in terms of conservation and sustainable development for these countries.
The SIAPAZ area shelters the main remnant of tropical rain forest on the
Caribbean side of Central America and is home to unique species, some of
which are in danger of extinction as is the case with the manatee, the
green macaw and the mountain almond.
The primary corporations interested in opening mines in this region are
American Barrick Gold and Placer Dome Inc. It is important to mention that
Placer Dome Inc. is seeking to develop a project that will allow them to
extract a gold deposit of TWO AND A HALF MILLION OUNCES in a place called
"Las Crucitas" just seven kilometers away from the San Juan River on the
Costa Rican side .
In the Northern Pacific region of the country, there exists the possibility
that a series of open pit mines will also be operated along the Tilaran
Mountain Range. Until now, different companies have appplied for
concessions in an area of 130,000 hectares This region shelters
important species of plants and animals that have stimulated the creation
of various protected areas such as the Biological Reserves of Monteverde
and Alberto Brenes, the Arenal National Park among others.
The possible impact of mining activity upon the region's water sources will
threaten aquatic ecosystems; particularly the equilibrium of the Golf of
Nicoya and the estuaries from which thousands of families and small scale
fishermen and women live.
In the same vein, the cultural and natural heritage of the Talamanca
Mountain Range in the Southern Caribbean side of Costa Rica is in danger as
well. The incredible value of this area has motivated not only the
creation of important protected areas but also the declaration of this area
as a RESERVE OF THE BIOSPHERE AND HERITAGE OF HUMANKIND by UNESCO in 1982.
The Talamanca region constitutes one of the most important forested areas
of Central America .
In addition, the Talamanca Mountain Range is the territory of the BRIBRI
and CABECAR indigenous peoples. They have also organized themselves in
order to defend their natural heritage and their cultural identity. In this
moment, there are concession for exploration covering an area of 28,000
hectares.
There is an extensive amount of literature and a long list of tragic
experiences around the globe with regard to the environmental and social
damages produced by open pit cyanide heap leaching gold mining:
destruction of biodiversity; soil devastation; transportation and
processing of tons of rock; alteration of the landscape; accumulation of
huge quantities of waste material and tailings; erosion; sedimentation of
rivers; contamination of superficial and ground waters by cyanide and heavy
metals; acid mine drainage; de-struction of the local, campesino and
indigenous cultures and the social impact that this activity has on men
and women.
For ethical, environmental and social reasons, we, the organizations that
form part of the National Front Against Open Pit Gold Mining in Costa Rica,
have decided to dedicate all possible efforts to stop the development of
this destructive activity that overshadows our country.
For this reason, we are calling for solidarity at the international level
to denounce the support provided by the Costa Rica government for the
expansion of this type of mining activity.
The moment has arrived to halt the development of this activity, as no
company has been able to start with exploitation activities, due to the
resistance of local communities. Knowing that your actions are crucial to
achieve such an objective, we invite you to:
Express your utmost concern about the policies of the Ministry of the
Environment in Costa Rica that promote open pit cyanide heap leaching
mining which are contradictory to Costa Rica's official discourse about
environmental protection and sustainable development that it boasts in
international fora.
Ask the Ministry of the Environment in Costa Rica to immediately cancel
all concessions for the exploration and exploitation of gold that use the
open pit cyanide heap leaching technique.
Express your support to local communities, their organizations, Churches
and local councils and their decision to openly oppose this type of project
in Costa Rica.
The Dioceses of Tilaran and Limon, the Municipalities of Puntarenas and
San Carlos and the National Campesino and Indigenous Round Tables have
officially expressed their opposition to this activity among others.
Spread this information to other organizations and media sources in your
country.
At the international level, Costa Rica has enjoyed recognition as a
country which promotes human rights and as a nation that is committed to
sustainable development. The current administration has identified
sustainability and participation of the local communities in decision
making processes as key priorities. However, we are convinced that the
decision of this government to promote open pit gold mining in Costa Rica
demonstrates the clear contradiction between its discourse and practice
with regard to the environment and development, violates the rights of the
affected communities and infringes upon Costa Rica's international
commitment to the topic.
An international denunciation in this direction will be a significant
support to the our national struggle to defend life and the survival of our
communities and their natural and cultural heritage.
We have attached a form letter that can be sent to our President of
Republic and Minister of the Environment. We would ask that these
letters be sent by fax in order to ensure their visible, quick and
effective arrival. The letters can be sent to:
Mr. Jose Maria Figueres
President of the Republic
Costa Rica
Fax: 506-253-9078
Mr. Rene Castro
Minister of the Environment
Costa Rica
Fax: 506-257-0697
Costa Rican Ecologist Association-Friends of the Earth Costa Rica (Member
of the National Front Against Open Pit Gold Mining in Costa Rica) Fax :
506-223-3925
506-233-3013
We would also greatly appreciate it if you could send a copy of the letters
you send to the President and the Minister to our coalition at the above
fax as well.
We are confident that efforts of worldwide solidarity will once again yield
fruits.
With best regards,
Gabriel Rivas-Ducca
Alison de Lucca
Flor Umana
Freddy Vargas
Costa Rican Ecologist Association-Friends of the Earth Costa Rica ( Member
of the National Front Against Open Pit Gold Mining in Costa Rica)
FORM LETTER
Mr. Jos, Maria Figueres
President of the Republic
Costa Rica
Fax : 506-253-9078
Mr. Ren, Castro
Minister of the Environment
Costa Rica
Fax : 506-257-0697
Dear Sir:
We have been informed by the National Front Against Open Pit Gold Mining in
Costa Rica about the possible development of this activity in your
country.
Considering the enormous environmental, social and cultural impact related
to open pit cyanide heap leaching gold mining, we would like to express our
utmost concern for the possible expansion of this devastating activity in
Costa Rica and our deep dismay with the Ministry of the Environment's
promotion of such an activity.
We consider your position to be in contradiction with Costa Rica's official
discourse to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in
Costa Rica. Furthermore, it violates the human rights of the local
communities with regard to their participation in decision making processes
as are established in Agenda 21.
In an equally respectful fashion and supporting the petition that we have
received from the National Front Against Open Pit Gold Mining in Costa Rica
and affected communities, we ask you to immediately cancel all concessions
for the exploration and exploitation of gold using open pit cyanide heap
leaching techniques.
We hope to hear a positive response from you in the near future.
Sincerely,