A massive acid spill from the Buenavista copper mine in northern Mexico is wrecking havoc in the area. 10 million gallons of mining acid were released into a river, turning it orange and poisoning the water of 20,000 people. 88 local school are to be closed for weeks until the rivers are completely cleaned.
The Buenavista mine is one of the largest copper mines in the world and is operated by the Mexican giant, Grupo Mexico. The company is being fined more than $3 million, but spokespeople for the company have been downplaying the accident. Worse, there's been no apology from the company's owner, German Larrea Mota Velasco.
Mexico's environmental prosecutor has filed a criminal complaint against the company, yet production has continued unaltered. The company even expects to more than double production in an upcoming expansion!
We can't let Grupo Mexico continue to place Mexican children at risk. Mining pollution is a problem not to be downplayed and ignored. Sign the petition to call on Grupo Mexico to halt production and expansion until they can take their responsibilities seriously.
Dear Grupo Mexico CEO, German Larrea,
I am extremely concerned that 10 million gallons of mining acid have spilled from the Buenavista mine in northern Mexico. More than 20,000 people's drinking water has been contaminated and 88 schools have been shut down until the clean up is through!
Not only does this environmental catastrophe show your company's lack of emergency preparedness, but your reactions show that you don't take your environmental and social responsibilities seriously. It's particularly concerning that production is continuing unaffected and that expansion plans have not been altered.
[Your comments here]
The spill has put thousands of people, including students, at risk and that's unacceptable. Ignoring and downplaying the problem is irresponsible. Paying the fines is not enough! I call on your company to own up to your mistakes and halt production until the issue has been resolved, including not only the criminal case against your company but also Grupo Mexico's entire lack of accountability.
We need to be doing all that we can to protect the environment, communities and school-bound children!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
