In this sacred territory, which has also won the
hearts of thousands of Mexicans
not Wixaritari and thousands of people around the world, the Mexican government has delivered at least 22 mining
concessions to the Canadian company First Majestic Silver Corp
in the area of Real de Catorce, through the Mexican Real Bonanza SA de CV. 70% of
the 6000 326.58 hectares
of concession area is within the Reserve Wirikuta.
This
project makes the 6000 326 hectares of the First
Majestic look as insignificant. The
Universe Project seeks to exploit
mineral resources in 59.678 hectares within the Protected
Natural Area Wirikuta,
representing no less than 42.56% of the total area of Wirikuta.
By the type of the deposits, it
is possible that the method most likely
to use it would be that of the open pit, however this is an assumption, and the method in benefit
it would possibly be by cyanide leaching or other products such as xanthine that are equally harmful. The
Universe Project has four active mining concessions. The Bernalejo region
is one of the highlights of Wirikuta, where the hunt of deer takes place, of
Kauyumari, area of wixarika where
the delivery of sacred offerings and
peyote hunt take place.
The large amounts of water used by the mega mining would cause the drying up of the river basins, which according to reports from
the National Water Commission,
are already overexploited and have
little resilience in this region.
Moreover, the sacred springs where the people of wixarika gather their blessed waters are at risk
of being contaminated with cyanide, xanthine
and heavy metals.
These
mining threats are within what,-according to the zoning of the reserve
management program- called the buffer
zone for traditional use, in that area "can be made the traditional
activities of exploitation of natural resources that were performed before the
establishment of the Reserve, provided that they do not cause significant
changes to the ecosystems. The permitted activities are those that allow the
satisfaction of basic economic needs and cultural rights of the inhabitants of
the holy site and the cultural needs of the people Wixarika."
There are other
mining concessions bordering the Wirikuta region that are found in the
so-called zone of influence of the Wirikuta Reserve. This is the case of the
Presa de Santa Gertrudis, Charcas Township, concession that also is part of the
project the Universe. According to testimonies collected by the National Human
Rights Commission, there would be explorations in a thousand feet deep. This
represents a risk to the aquifer Venegas-Catorce, which is a fundamental part
of Wirikuta, which would be directly affected in its water system, its flora
and fauna.
A fourth threat
in act: agroindustrial tomato companies are dismantling to zero several
properties located within the reserve, without presenting any environmental
impact study before SEMARNAT. While following a citizen complaint, PROFEPA has
commanded the tomato companies to shut down. These continue to work ignoring
the closure order, without any authority at any level present to enforce the law.
The illegal clearing perpetrated by these companies is done in areas of high
environmental value, where the peyote and other cactuses protected by the
Mexican law grow, including Ferocactus pilosus, Ferocactus hamatacanthus,
Coryphantha poselgeriana, Echinocactus platyacanthus, Leuchtenbergia principis.
In addition, these same companies are responsible for the drought in recent
years, as they bombarded the clouds with chemicals in order to prevent the
rain, so necessary for the farmers who depend on it, a situation that has
worsened poverty and migration from the area. For the peasants of the ejidos in
Wirikuta this has been the worst drought in 50 years.
On the 6th and
7th of February 2012 was
carried out in Wirikuta the Wixárika Traditional survey, which brought together
more than 17 ceremonial centers of the people of Wixárika and who expressed the
Wirikuta Statement.
http://frenteendefensadewirikuta.org/wirikuta/?p=2363.
On the 24 of May, 2012,
two days before it took place the Wirikuta
Fest, the Federal
government through the Ministry of Economy, presented the results of the studies of the georeferencing, (which
were not consensed by all of the
Wixaritari communities) and announces the creation of the National Mining Reserve
in 45,000 hectares of the Wirikuta region. At the same time as well,
the First Majestic
Silver Corp delivers to the
federal government a mining lot of 761 has. for the National Mining Reserve,
making believe with these measures that Wirikuta its free from mining.
A day later, on May 25, the Wixárika Regional Council
in defend of Wirikuta gives a press conference presenting its position before
the Federal government announcements, making it clear that no mining lease has
been canceled, that the work of the First Majestic, of the Revolution Resources
and of the tomatoe companies (Jitomateras) still ongoing and that the Wirikuta
protection is more an act for the media than a genuine political will to
protect a region unique for its ecological, cultural and spiritual value, as
well as the respect for an ancient culture. http://frenteendefensadewirikuta.org/wirikuta/?p=2941
When published in the Official Journal of the
Federation the Decree of the National Mining Reserve, (late July 2012) The
Wixárika Regional Council, through the Front for the Defense of Wirikuta,
issued a statement in which they clearly states that "the creation of the
National mining Reserve does not solve the problem of mining concessions and
agribusiness in Wirikuta "http://frenteendefensadewirikuta.org/wirikuta/?p=3228 and that the 79 mining
concessions that existed
before, remain valid, occupying the same 98.000 hectares, which
constitute 70% of the Protected
Natural Area of the Wirikuta region.
To read about
the Wirikuta Fest:
Words of Eusebio, Wixàrika chaman, in the Wirikuta
Fest:
On October 15,
2012, SEMARNAT put to public consultation the business case for Wirikuta to be
declared a Biosphere Reserve. This proposal should be studied to see if it
makes clear not to allow toxic mining and agribusiness, responsible for
devastating the environment, if it´s notlike tat, they would not be responding
to the demands of the Wixárika people and of the national and international
society, that clearly state that does not want either mining concessions nor
exploration projects and much less mineral exploitation in the Wirikuta region.
http://venadomestizo.blogspot.mx/2012/10/estudio-justificativo-para-declarar.html
In the month of
November 2012 During the consultation process for Wirikuta to be declared a
Biosphere Reserve, the Front for the Defense of Wirikuta Tamatsima Wahaa
presented its position. Wixaritari authorities, scientists, environmental and
biocultural experts, settlers of Real de
Catorce and artists who have accompanied the movement, held a press conference.
