We the undersigned,
Are firmly against environmentally destructive activities and long term pollution such as those that open-pit mining and the use of cyanide entail.
Your proposed
Navidad project, in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, which is based on the use of cyanide and open-pit mining is in violation of current law.
Your belief, as published in the media, that "
laws could be modified in such a way to allow for development of Navidad" and that you are confident that "
there is the political will to allow for the responsible development of Navidad" must surely be based on the notion that you will use your economic might to "
lobby" and persuade the Provincial authorities to revoke pre-existing legislation.
Having been born in Argentina, I am aware that the notion that our politicians are corrupt, debased and easily bought. This notion may lead companies, like your own, to believe that our politicians votes can be bought.
Be assured that the people of Chubut and the citizens of Argentina, who vote for their legislators on a National and Provincial level, will not allow the spirit of the 2006 law to be tainted by your company's "policital lobbying".
We will fight back, legislators come and go, and if the law is changed to favor you, it can be changed back again. As you may be aware, Argentina's legislation is volatile but it works both ways.
We firmly request that you work within the framework of existing legislation or just back down. Patagonia should be kept clean and unspoilt and not held hostage to your company's greed.
Yours truly,
