The Sierra de Ancasti is located southwest of the province of Catamarca. Its highest part is located near the US 2000., Descending gently to the east, where it is reached until the Salinas area located in northern Córdoba and south of Santiago del Estero [4]. In the cubes covered by Pajonals, rainwater is absorbed that then drains into different slopes and streams that surround the Serrano landscape, surrounded by native forests, in which large number of animal species and wild vegetables coexist. The place stands out for its state of ecological conservation since at the moment there are not registering pollutant activities of great magnitude. The main economic activities are livestock, agriculture and tourism, which are part of a diversity of strategies that carry out the local inhabitants to guarantee their subsistence. We can also highlight the collection of wild fruits for the elaboration of scrap and sweets, quesillos and the manufacture of handicrafts, wool, ceramics and leather, as well as the production of honey and other hive derivatives. The maintenance of environmental conditions is fundamental for the continuity of such activities [1]. |
Name of conflict: | Ancasti mobilizes against lithium mining, catamarca, Argentina. |
Country: | Argentina |
State or province: | Catamarca. |
Location of conflict: | Ancasti. |
Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Mineral Ores and Building Materials Extraction |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Mineral ore exploration |
Specific commodities: | Lithium Water |
Project details | The company has not submitted to date the Exploitation Environmental Impact Report, but on its website it presents some data from two areas with apparent mining potential in the province of Catamarca: Zona Ancasti and Villisman area. According to the Latin Resources website [5] collected in May 2016: 4 samples in the Ancasti area and 12 of the Villisman area. 4 samples are highlighted in three pegmatic deposits within the area studied with 6.6%, 7.1% and 4.9 Li2O concentrations. |
Project area: | 4,000. |
Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 650,000. |
Type of population | Rural |
Affected Population: | 3,000-40,000 |
Start of the conflict: | 24/01/2017 |
Company names or state enterprises: | Lake Resources. from Australia Latin Resources Limited from Australia Recursos Latinos S. A. from Argentina |
Relevant government actors: | Government of Catamarca, Ministry of Mining, Provincial management of mining environmental management. |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Assembly of Ancasti for life PU.C.A.R.A (Catamaric peoples in resistance and self-determination) http://asamba-pucara.ar/ |
Intensity | LOW (some local organising) |
Reaction stage | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Landless peasants Neighbours/citizens/communities Pastoralists Social movements Local scientists/professionals |
Forms of mobilization: | Artistic and creative actions (eg guerilla theatre, murals) Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Development of alternative proposals Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches |
Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Desertification/Drought, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil contamination, Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity Potential: Groundwater pollution or depletion, Mine tailing spills, Fires, Global warming, Waste overflow, Food insecurity (crop damage), Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems |
Health Impacts | Potential: Accidents, Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Violence related health impacts (homicides, rape, etc..), Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution, Occupational disease and accidents, Deaths |
Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Increase in violence and crime, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Militarization and increased police presence, Social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc..), Specific impacts on women |
Project Status | Unknown |
Conflict outcome / response: | Institutional changes New legislation Strengthening of participation Project temporarily suspended |
Proposal and development of alternatives: | Impulse of agroecological projects by the Assembly of Ancasti X Life. |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
Briefly explain: | The project is temporarily detained but not because environmental justice has been done. |
Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Last update | 04/11/2021 |
Conflict ID: | 5688 |
Images |
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Acto y mural por Asamblea por
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Mapa de acceso al sector de Santa Gertrudis
Fuente: Asamblea por la Vida
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Hidrografía de la provincia de Catamarca
Fuente: Asamblea de Ancasti por la Vida
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Acto de Asamblea de Ancasti por la Vida
Fuente: Asamblea de Ancasti por la Vida
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Concesiones de Ancasti y Villisman en Catamarca
Fuente: El Cronista.
https://www.cronista.com/apertura-negocio/inversiones/Integra-Capital-y-Latin-Resources-explotaran-litio-en-roca-en-Catamarca-20201028-0005.html
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