Costos ecológicos de la minería aurífera a cielo abierto y resistencia social

Gian Carlo Delgado Ramos
Intersecciones en Antropología.
Vol. 14. Argentina, 2013. pp. 279 - 294.
Recibido 7 de mayo 2012. Aceptado 5 de julio 2012
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RESUMEN

Desde fines del siglo pasado, debido al aumento del metabolismo social pero también a la erosión de las reservas explotables y la especulación de la inversión en el mercado de commodities, es observable una intensificación de las actividades extractivas. En América Latina (AL), la proliferación de proyectos es particularmente notoria en el caso de los metales preciosos, pero también de otros estratégicos, como el cobre, níquel, hierro o zinc. Tomando nota de lo anterior, se abre con una revisión de la actividad minera en AL y México, para después presentar el proyecto minero aurífero a tajo a cielo abierto Caballo Blanco, en el estado de Veracruz, México, cuyo rasgo distintivo es su eventual emplazamiento, a unos kilómetros de la única planta nuclear del país. Se evalúan los potenciales costos ecológicos con detalle, dando cuenta a lo largo del texto de los impactos sociales y de la conflictividad que usualmente suscitan ese tipo de proyectos mineros. Se concluye abogando por una revaloración de los impactos socioambientales en el entendido de que son punto de partida obligado para la búsqueda de una genuina justicia socioambiental, de un comercio internacional menos desigual y, sobre todo, de un desarrollo con consideraciones más allá de aquellas exclusivamente económicas.

Palabras clave: Minería; Caballo Blanco; Costos ecológicos; Justicia ambiental; América Latina.


ABSTRACT
THE ECOLOGICAL COSTS OF OPEN-PIT GOLD MINING AND SOCIAL STRUGGLE.

Since the end of the twentieth century extractive activities have intensified due to the increase in social metabolism, the erosion of exploitable reserves, and investment speculation in the commodities market. In Latin America (LA) the proliferation of projects is particularly notable in the case of precious metals but also on other strategic material such as copper, nickel, iron and zinc. This paper opens with a review of the mining sector in LA and Mexico, followed by an analysis of the open-pit mining project Caballo Blanco in Veracruz state, Mexico, notable for its’ location close to the country’s only nuclear plant. Potential ecological costs are assessed in detail while acknowledging the social impact and discontent that such mining projects usually generate. The paper concludes by appealing for a revalorization of socio-ecological impact as an obligatory starting point in seeking genuine environmental socio-ecological justice, more equal international trade, and above all a development framework that encompasses more than the merely economical.

Keywords: Mining; Caballo Blanco Project; Ecological costs; Environmental justice; Latin America.

Climate Change and Metabolic Dynamics in Latin American Major Cities

Gian Carlo Delgado Ramos
en: Zubir, S y Brebbia, C. Sustainable City VIII. Urban Regeneration and Sustainability.
WIT PRess. 2013. pp. 39-53.
ISBN: 978-1845647469

Abstract

Climate and environmental problems have become increasing challenges for cities, especially for those experiencing rapid urban expansion and population growth. The dimension and likely implications of these challenges can be better assessed if metabolic analyses of inflows, outflows and stocks of energy and
materials are carried out in addition to conventional means of evaluation. Urban metabolic analyses have been carried out for different cities and for diverse metabolic aspects or flows, but it has been largely absent in Latin America. This paper opens with a general introduction to the current state of Latin American cities. It introduces the main aspects of the urban metabolism analytic approach and offers an initial comprehensive comparative estimate of inflows and outflows of some Latin American major cities: Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Quito and Bogota. A rough estimate of Mexico City’s stock of materials is then presented. The main characteristics of climate change plans are discussed in later pages with the purpose of offering a brief analysis of mitigation actions and existing metabolic dynamics. The paper concludes with
some policy and governance considerations for the urban future and the forthcoming challenges and feasible opportunities at local or urban levels.

Keywords: urban metabolism, climate change, Latin America, low carbon cities.


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