Activists Report Sonora's Toxic Mining Spill Has Caused Severe Health Problems Ulises Gutierrez Ruelas - La Jornada
go to original August 9, 2015

Mexico: Mining Company Under Fire for Refusing to Clean Up Spill (teleSUR English)

Activists and a researcher from the University of Sonora (Unison) announced that they have documented "gravely serious cases of health damages" caused by the spill of toxic waste from the mines into the Sonora River. Contamination of the river remains unattended.

Inhabitants of the region affected by contaminants from Grupo México's Cananea mine led a demonstration in the capital last week to mark the first anniversary of the worst environmental tragedy linked to mining in Mexico. In front of the government palace, they accused the mining company, the Sonora River Trust, and federal and state governments of not properly addressing the emergency and of hiding what is really happening in the area.

They argued that hundreds of people see their health deteriorating, while official reports speak of a clean river, of a revived economy and the absence "by magic" of the heavy metals that were released on August 6, 2014, with 40 million liters [10.6 US gallons] of toxic waste.

The activist Martha Patricia Velarde, a resident of the municipality of Baviácora, asked the people of Hermosillo to "wake up", because the contamination would have already reached Sonora's capital, and it would be seeping into the wells that supply water to the community. She asserted that in a few more months, the same cases of skin diseases documented around the Sonora River since last year will begin to emerge.

Read the rest at Mexico Voices

Mexico Voices is a blogging endeavor aimed at raising the awareness of U.S. citizens regarding the destructive impact of the U.S. economic policy and the War on Drugs on Mexico — on its people, their economic and physical security and their human rights, on the nation’s dysfunctional justice system, and on the rule of law and Mexico’s fragile democracy. Visit the website at MexicoVoices.blogspot.mx

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