PBI-Mexico highlights report on 29 conflicts in Mexico involving Canadian mine projects

On March 30, the Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project posted on Facebook this excerpt: ′′Mexico tops the list of countries with the largest number of mining conflicts in Latin America, with a total of 58 cases, of which 29 belong to Canadian mine projects.”

Sin Embargo reports: “According to the Observatory of Mining Conflicts (OCMAL), Mexico tops the list of countries with the highest number of conflicts in Latin America, with a total of 58 cases, above Chile (49) and Peru (46).”

The article adds: “The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) registers more: of 560 socio-environmental conflicts identified in the country, of which 173 are caused by mining activities.”

It also notes: “According to the Integral System on Mining Economy (SINEM), of the Ministry of Economy, there are a total of 242 companies with mining projects in Mexico of which 160 correspond to Canadian miners; while a Fraser Institute report indicates that 74 percent of mining exploration concessions are granted to companies in Canada.”

The feature article in Sin Embargo also lists the 29 mining conflicts involving Canadian mining companies. That list (at #12) includes the Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver mine in San Jose del Progreso, Oaxaca.

On this recent webinar, Neftali Reyes of Educa Oaxaca noted that a decision on the San José mine is expected by the end of this month.

Pedro Máximo Aquino, Efrén Jacinto Sánchez, and Rubén Flores, authorities from Magdalena Ocotlán, also spoke on this webinar.

This Educa Oaxaca report on the webinar highlights: “The representatives of the community located just a few meters from the San José mining project, owned by the FSM company, reiterated that ‘the mining company is affecting us a lot’ with water pollution, mine waste, constant noise and the shortage of water.”

PBI-Mexico has accompanied Educa Oaxaca since May 2013.