Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - “Plans to exploit minerals bring little development and much environmental, economic and social harm ”, said Caritas El Salvador.
With this statement the organisation which supports the Social Pastoral of the Catholic Church confirms the position taken a few months ago by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of El Salvador which called on the government to refuse permits to extract underground minerals requested by several mining companies .
“We are of the opinion that the mining sector is not convenient for the country because of the damage it causes”, said Archbishop Fernando Sáenz Lacalle of San Salvador, president of the Bishops' Conference. National Caritas director Mgr Luis Fernando Trujillo said the highest church authorities would soon publish an official resolution which all the clergy must accept.
“We have organised this event to reinforce our statements and express our reasons”, said Mgr Trujillo, at a meeting on the question attended by representatives of Canadian Pacific Rim company, the Centre of Research on Investment and Trade CEICOM, and representatives of the communities affected, especially Cabañas and Chalatenango.
The activities in question could cause irreversible damage to the ecosystem and the communities as well as seriously endanger the water resources with the use of toxic substances such cyanide.
According to CEICOM this would threaten not only the health of the people but also the activities of survival and generate conflict in the communities. Organisations close to the government such as the National Development Commission are also against the project considering it incompatible with regional development and environment protection.
So far the Ministry of the Economy has granted 30 licences to 21 companies, Canadian, American and Australian which want to extract gold, silver and other precious minerals. (AP) (24/4/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:32; Parole:340)
