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The '''Esquel Anti-Mine Movement''' was an [[Environmentalism|environmentalist]] movement active in [[Argentina]] from [[Timeline of | The '''Esquel Anti-Mine Movement''' was an [[Environmentalism|environmentalist]] movement active in [[Argentina]] from [[Timeline of Anarchism in South America|2002 to 2006]]. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
Latest revision as of 17:50, 3 April 2024
The Esquel Anti-Mine Movement was an environmentalist movement active in Argentina from 2002 to 2006.
Background
In 2002 the local government granted a gold mining permit to US-Canadian mining company Meridian Gold. The permit allowed them to build a large open-pit gold mine 7 kilometres from the town of Esquel, Argentina. Concerns were raised about the potential for a cyanide contamination (used to leach gold from ore and highly toxic to humans) in the towns water supply and to nearby forests with endangered trees.[1]
Events
The movement started with the formation of a popular assembly to coordinate the action, composed of 3,000 people (in a town of 31,000). The assembly coordinated protests and invading town council meetings on several occasions. Courts ruled in the assemblies favour, and a referendum held in the town showed most people rejected the mine. Meridian refused to abandon the project, and the assembly illegally obtained recordings of a shareholder meaning discussing methods of astroturfing and bribes to win over the community. Leading to widespread anger and disgust.[1]
Results
Courts eventually blocked Meridian from construction the gold mine.[1]