Abstract

DELGADO RAMOS, Gian Carlo. Costos ecológicos de la minería aurífera a cielo abierto y resistencia social: una lectura desde el proyecto Caballo Blanco en México. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2013, vol.14, n.1, pp.279-294. ISSN 1850-373X.

Since the end of the twentieth century extractive activities have intensified due to the increase in social metabolism, the erosion of exploitable reserves, and investment speculation in the commodities market. In Latin America (LA) the proliferation of projects is particularly notable in the case of precious metals but also on other strategic material such as copper, nickel, iron and zinc. This paper opens with a review of the mining sector in LA and Mexico, followed by an analysis of the open-pit mining project Caballo Blanco in Veracruz state, Mexico, notable for its' location close to the country's only nuclear plant. Potential ecological costs are assessed in detail while acknowledging the social impact and discontent that such mining projects usually generate. The paper concludes by appealing for a revalorization of socio-ecological impact as an obligatory starting point in seeking genuine environmental socio-ecological justice, more equal international trade, and above all a development framework that encompasses more than the merely economical.

Keywords : Mining; Caballo Blanco Project; Ecological costs; Environmental justice; Latin America.

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