In the heart of the dusty Huasco Valley, in the Atacama Region of northern Chile, lies Alto de Carmen, home to just over four thousand residents. Despite its rural setting far from the bustling capital of Santiago, this small town made headlines on February 19, 2024, when local activists from Asamblea por el Agua del Guasco Alto stood up to Barrick Gold, a mining behemoth with operations spanning five continents and assets worth $45.81 billion USD.
Under the rallying cry of “los glaciares y las lagunas no se tocan” (“don’t touch the glaciers and lakes”), these activists successfully persuaded Chile’s Environmental Evaluation Service to cancel its assessment of Barrick’s proposed project in the Huasco Valley. This victory came in the face of Barrick’s ambitious plans to double its copper production by 2031, threatening the delicate ecosystems and water sources of the region.
Mayor Cristian Olivares of Alto de Carmen highlighted the detrimental impacts of Barrick’s preliminary work on Indigenous communities, herders, and small farmers, as well as the concerning air pollution caused by the mining activities. Ultimately, the SEA cited inadequate information provided by Barrick regarding the project’s potential effects on local flora and fauna as grounds for cancellation.
This win against Barrick echoes past conflicts with the company, such as the controversial Pascua Lama project, which led to environmental degradation and eventual closure after facing hefty fines. As glacial geologist Julie Brigham-Grette emphasized, mining in mountainous areas like the Huasco Valley can have severe consequences for water sources and ecosystems.
The cancellation of Barrick’s project marks a significant step in protecting the Huasco Valley’s vital resources, serving as a beacon for environmental activism in Chile. Although challenges persist in enacting broader environmental legislation, grassroots movements like Asamblea por el Agua del Guasco Alto continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding Chile’s natural heritage against destructive mining practices.
