Opposition to mining was and still is more emotional than rational. On several occasions I have referred to the advice given by the then president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, when referring to the questionable local mining activity, he emphatically said: “Don’t say no to mining.”
His argumentation has undeniable value because in his government the rational exploitation of subsoil resources, especially oil, was of the highest priority. The passionate inclination to reject the reality of mining activity, based on commonplaces and disqualifications, supposes a colossal lack of knowledge, and can freeze our growth process and reduce our economic possibilities to lines without any weight in international trade. Being in agreement with the exploitation of mining resources does not mean accepting the evils of an irresponsible activity, without state supervision and on onerous contracts. The terms of any concession are the responsibility of the Government.
If Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Ethiopia, Russia, the United States, the Arab countries, Iran, Brazil, China and many others use their oil; If Chile drives its growth by extracting copper from its mountains, why can’t our country use its mining wealth to improve the expectations of its people? Loma Miranda does not cross 40 rivers, nor do the waters that feed the Rincón dam originate there, as alleged.
There are also no species of fauna or flora that do not exist elsewhere. Therefore, it does not meet the exceptional conditions to be declared a National Park. Barrick does not add contamination to what it found in Pueblo Viejo and, on the contrary, successfully addresses this legacy of environmental liability.
Let the experts determine what is best for the country, without passion and without disqualification, and thus we will have an environment of healthy discussion to promote the development of our natural resources.
