NO TO MINING IN WIRIKUTA!
Vancouver, 18 de mayo 2011
Wirikuta is in the state of San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, in central northern Mexico. It is one of the most important sacred natural sites of the Wixaritari (Huichol) indigenous people. The Wixaritari are native of Jalisco, Nayarit y Durango in the sierra Madre. They are recognized in Mexico and Latin America because they have preserved and continue to practice their cultural and religious ancestral customs.
Wirikuta is visited annually by pilgrims that are part of the ceremonial centers of the communities as they recreate the route that their ancestors walked to give birth in the world.
First Majestic Silver has purchased at least 22 concessions for the exploitation of silver and other metals in the sacred area Wirikuta. These concessions were granted by the Mexican State, but at no point have the wixarika people been consulted. This violates current Mexican law. This action has been denounced by the authorities of traditional agrarian wixarika communities in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit and Durango.
The planned mining exploitation by First Majestic Silver Corporation would be carried out by chemical processes including the use of cyanide. Presently, the company is discussing the use of the method of flotation, where highly polluting chemicals are used such as Xanthates. This method would affect and pollute the aquifers that supply the communities around Real de Catorce. Thus, the mining by First Majestic Silver Corporation threatens both the territorial rights of indigenous peoples, and the right to water, health and the
environment of the people living in the area around Wirikuta.
We the Wixarika nation, demand
~ The protection of Wirikuta by UN – UNESCO, and decree this sacred site as a natural and cultural human patrimony.
~ That all mining activity in Wirikuta be canceled, and that any administrative permissions that would be necessary to undertake said mining activity not be granted.
~ That no new mining concessions be granted around Wirikuta.
~ That Wirikuta be declared a Federal Natural Protected Reserve.
~ That the Wirikuta environment be rehabilitated from previous mining activities.
How you can help:
Go online, join the letter-writing campaign and sign the petition:
and
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