The focus of this week's blog is Baja's "Earth" or "Geo" resources. Some of these resources are mined on the peninsula itself, and some are or might be mined from the sea floor. Earth or geologic resources includes a wealth of minerals, metals, soils, and petroleum products such as oil, and natural gas.
The exploitation and the conservation of "Earth" resources is critical to Baja and often is controversial.
I want you to read at least two websites and present information about the resource: its abundance, exploitation, conservation/management or controversy. If someone else has started a discussion about this resource, add to the comments/discussion with additional information rather than just repeating what has been presented. If the resource's exploitation and management is controversial, what are the arguments of both sides? Explain the controversy and the evidence to support one side's position.
PART A: (5 points) by 11 PM, Friday, June 24 ~ Post your initial comment.
PART B: (5 points) by 11 PM, Sunday, June 26 ~ Read other students' comments and post a 2nd comment with additional information.
I have provided you with a folder of resources, but you can venture further and locate other resources as well. Cite your sources and provide the title and URL of the website(s) that you use.
You must use and cite at least one website. The URL starts with ... http
A posting must be a minimum of 250 words. Research, read, think and write in your own words.
Arnell Rosete Biol 143 502 Class Blog 1
ReplyDeleteHello everyone, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Baja is the extraordinary marine life. So, my question to you all is to elaborate more about the biggest animal that probably ever surfaced on the face of this earth - the blue whale.
I’ve never really come face to face with one and wish I could some day, but anyway here are some questions that I’ve come up with that I would like to know the answers to:
1. What steps the local governments (U.S., Mexico) have taken in order to ensure the safety and well being of the blue whales?
2. What are the migratory routes of the blue whales that frequent Baja California?
3. What does their diet mainly consist of?
Part A:
ReplyDeleteDue to the recent massive increases in both gold and silver prices, Mexico’s Geological Survey has opened twelve mining sites in nine states to potential mining investors, which includes the company Pediment gold. Pediment gold claims to have drilled positive test samples for gold at multiple Baja California mining sites, including Picacho Blanco. Picacho Blanco, a mining site located in Baja California Sur, is located near El Trinufo, a tourist village, and is also the sole source of drinking water for Los Cabos and Baja California’s East Cape.
Modern gold mining techniques present many dangers to both the environment and to people inhabiting the area, and for this reason, Humanos SOS is protesting the mining. The group is protesting against the “toxic open-pit mining activities” which include “cyanide leaching”. This process involves drilling out gold ore, crushing it into smaller pieces and mixing it with a cyanide solution that dissolves the gold out of the mixture. This process produces many hazardous waste by-products, and these waste products could prove to be detrimental to both animal life and tourism in the area. Performing these cyanide leaching techniques could possibly endanger the ecosystems of three biosphere reserves: Sierra La Laguna, Vizcaino Desert and the Sea of Cortes.
On January 16th, 2011, more than 9000 people showed their support against the mining operations by forming a large “SOS” on the beach in Playa del Tule. The group obtained an engagement letter signed by Governor Mark Covvarrubias, pledging not to approve or promote any toxic mining projects.
Sources:
1. http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=11912
2. http://tc.engr.wisc.edu/uer/uer97/author4/index.html
3. http://http://www.soscabo.org/
Part A:
ReplyDeletePunta Colonet a small agricultural area 150 miles south of San Diego, has been an area of much controversy over the last 5 years. Mexico's Grupo Minero Lobos had a mining concession, granted in 2005, to explore the area offshore's rich deposits of iron and titanium for collection. In 2007, the Mexican government cancelled the concession in preparation for opening bids to the public for the creation of a mega-port in the area. The proposed port would be the third largest in the world, surpassing the size of the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports combined; creating a population explosion in the area from a few thousand to over 200,000. The project is set to be bid in early 2011, although many environmentalists are concerned about the negative impact this will have on the various plant and animal species native to the area.
http://seaport.homestead.com/files/colonet.html
http://www.bendweekly.com/index.php?news=5910
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punta_Colonet,_Baja_California
Copper is a natural resource, which is found massively in the earth’s crust. Throughout the world, people rely on copper for the production of heat and electricity, construction, and as a compound for other metals (www.1). Mexico is a very large producer of copper. It can be said that the copper supply is very abundant in the country because there are several mining companies within the states. The northern part of Baja California along with other western states in Mexico are home to the Mexican copper belt, of which most of the country’s copper is mined (www.2).
ReplyDeleteBack in 1885, the Boleo copper mine was established, producing copper at high grades (www.4). Negotiations were made between the people of France and the Diaz government to operate a copper mine in Mexico despite Mexico’s tension from the French invasion (www.4). However, Mexican workers did not have much power over obtaining authoritative roles within the organization as these were handled by administrators in the U.S and France (www.4). After some time, the economy had taken its toll on Mexico’s copper production. The price of minerals had decreased after World War II, which resulted in the layoffs of 400 miners (www.4). Although Baja’s Boleo project could produce copper at 56 kilo tons per year, banks were not available to provide funding for the mining (www.3). There eventually became a drop in production and Boleo was shut down in the 1950s by French director Pedro Mahieux (www.4). This left some bitterness amongst the people in Santa Rosalia because they did not have any rights or say over the decision. Copper is a very important resource for the people of Baja; however, the mines were also important for the people because they provided jobs for the residents. The town’s population eventually grew smaller after the French left Mexico and the Mexican union tried to keep the mines going, but it was not enough to bring back the success that Boleo once had (www.4 ). There have been talks about reopening the mine since after its closure, but only time will tell if or when it will reopen.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper
http://www.infomine.com/countries/SOIR/mexico/welcome.asp?i=mexico-soir-3
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page36?oid=78568&sn=Detail
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/89winter/history.htm
Kenia Cano
ReplyDeleteBIOL 143 502 summer 2011
Week #3 "Exploitation & Conservation of Baja's Earth Resources"
With gold prices going up and probably increasing even more in years to come, it is obvious why being environmentally friendly may not be top priority for those driven by business and money. Paradones Amarillos and La Concordia are two mining companies that play an important role in this issue. According to La Concordia, their project was meant to be a beneficial one. Providing opportunities for employment, educations and would be environmentally friendly. The question is… What benefit can using sixteen tons of cyanide daily to extract gold bring to the community and ecosystem? Not to mention the sulfuric acid, arsenic, cobalt , lead and zinc that infiltrate the subsoil. The massive amount of cyanide alone causes damage that’ll linger for years.
Mining represents a determining factor in the degradation of the ecosystems where it occurs. It harms not only human health with all the hazardous waste products and residues that it leaves in water sources but it also affects nature and animal life. Leading to an impact on tourism in the La Paz and Los Cabos communities. In this case water IS worth more than gold. Why would anyone want to alter an ecosystem that is so rich in endemic species and culture? Activists and government officials can make the community aware that more than this being an employment opportunity it is a threat to end agricultural work that provides work for at least ten thousand people. As well as having a negative environmental impact. The welfare of earth as a whole is in each of our hands, we can all as individuals play a part in participating in any way that is within our possibilities to make a difference.
http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=9896
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50142
https://sites.google.com/site/mexicowiki/news-features/open-pit-gold-mining
In one of the websites provided, the editor talked about the mining of copper—at its peak and its downfall. The mining splurge in Santa Rosalia exposed its workers to dangerous and deadly working conditions. The mining company exported a majority of the country of Mexico’s rich copper. Eventually, the mining exhausted the copper deposits and the mining company was closed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3027-north-of-loreto-muleg%C3%A9-and-santa-rosal%C3%ADa-sun-beaches-hotels-and-history
Another controversial result of mining is the transportation of goods in and out of the country. In Baja, a megaport was proposed to be made in order to make transportation easier and more readily available for the companies to receive. A rail line was proposed to be constructed. The company basically blackmailed the opposition with threatening to mine the ocean floor for its deposits of iron and titanium if the construction of the megaport was not supported.
http://www.bendweekly.com/index.php?news=5910
Anyone who has gone to Cabo San Lucas, on the southernmost point of the Baja California Peninsula, thinks immediately about how it’s an awesome vacation spot to visit. What comes to mind first? Is it the crystal Blue Ocean or the crystal blue margaritas? Well, to me it’s both, plus if you sprinkle in a cruise ship, some kayaking, oh, and finally the famous natural Arch, all this to me and whole lot of other people is what makes Cabo San Lucas such an exciting and memorable exotic place to soak in the rays.
ReplyDeleteThe local residents would like to keep Los Cabos or “The Capes” a premier tourist destination. This once sleepy harbor town was a busy trading post where pirates used to run with rum and treasure, is starting to vividly capture the world’s attention. This is great news for the economy of Los Cabos.
But, just when the future was starting to look sunny and bright, a proverbial dark sail blot out the sun and has cast a large dark shadow over the town of Capes. A modern day pirate ship has entered the harbor and they seek gold. These reapers of the land, who will stop at nothing, not even for huge flasks of rum, are the international mining investors such as the Pediment Gold Corp. of Canada, are whom the economic secretary of Mexico’s is planning on shipping in. The local community is up in arms with this latest development and they will not tolerate this invasion so to speak. Los Cabos’ future is at risk.
One of the sites which have been chosen for the gold mining effort brought about by these “gold diggers” is Picacho Blanco. This happens to be a mountain peak with an elevation of about 7000 feet which is a landmark used by boaters out at sea. Like the ancient ruins of Angor Wat in Thailand and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, Picacho Blanco is also a designated UNESCO world heritage site. How significant is that! And, we have just started to scratch the surface on the devasting effects of mining that will have on the Los Cabos Region.
Mining for gold is a process that goes negative on the eco-friendly scale. Miners have used cyanide and arsenic in their practice to extract precious metal from the earth. Plans are underway right now for miners to put their toxic skills to use on Picacho Blanco. Oh by the way, this mountain site produces drinking water for Los Cabos.
I can see frustration and anger in the people opposed to this scourge that has planned to take away everything that the residents have worked so hard for. To ensure that Los Cabos remains protected, Humanos SOS, which is a collection of environmental groups in Mexico, are planned a January 16th event to form a human S.O.S. on the beach in support of local tourism.
Maybe someday the government will realize that quick profits will not equate to a healthy future for Los Cabos. In contrast, the rays of sun hitting the smiling faces of residents and travelers alike will make up for a robust economy in the long run.
Protestors to fight gold mining near Los Cabos http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=11912
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50142
To add to Anthony Filippone’s post, the discovery of gold in Baja California dates back to the late 1800s when news of a Mexican boy named Malendrez found a 10oz gold nugget while searching for strayed cattle.1 Since then, prospectors and geo scientists have discovered that there are several areas in Baja California with considerable quartz deposits, areas where gold is likely to be found.2 an interesting thing about gold- quartz veins is that they usually run in non- horizontal lengths, often hundreds or even thousands of feet long, stabbing into the Earth’s crust. This is solely due to the veins forming deep below the ground and then being jutted up at extreme angles due to the dynamic nature of the earth’s crust, sandwiching the veins together among other rock compositions.
ReplyDeleteThese gold- quartz prospects have, since the late 19th and into the 20th century, been exploited by prospectors in search of the precious metal. Today, it is not just local Mexican companies that are exploiting Baja’s gold, but pressure is being felt from different non- governmental organizations (NGOs) on the area’s natural resources as well. As recent as 2009, some Canadian mining companies, for example, are battling the Mexican government for a stake in the already over-mined gold. “Already dominating foreign investment in the country's fast-growing mining sector, 200 Canadian companies are reportedly scouring 400 places in the Mexican Republic for possible new mines.”3 This added impact from Canadian and other NGOs is merely proliferating the negative effects of ore mining in Baja’s ecologically rich natural environment.
Sources:
1 http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/history/history-labaja.htm
2 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.californiagenealogy.org/labaja/gold_mines.htm
3 http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=9896
Although Mexico is known for exports such as silver, gold, copper etc., petroleum has far surpassed other exports in value. Petroleum is more valuable than all other mineral exports combined. And like many other geo resources, it is surrounded with an abundance of controversy.
ReplyDeletePrior to the 1930's the majority of Mexicos geo resources were controlled by foreign parties. Petroleum was primarily owned by U.S. firms. After the Mexican revolution, all of this began to change. By 1938 Mexico had regained control of petroleum. The vast majority was owned by Petrolios Mexicanos, a government owned company, and the rest was privatized by Mexican firms. Today no more than 49% of any one operation can be owned by a foreign party.
In the 1970's Mexico took out a high interest loan in order to "finance the development of manufacturing and service industries."(1) They expected to be able to pay it off quickly using petroleum revenues, but unfortunately things did not go as planned. Gas prices plummeted soon after and Mexico was not able to make payments. Devastating budget cuts had to be made nation wide. It was a massive blow to the economy, one which they have not entirely recovered from.
In 2006 Mexico announced the discovery of a deep water oil field in the gulf of Mexico. They don't' really have the resources to efficiently extract and process the amount of petroleum that they have. For the third time since the Mexican American war, Mexico began receiving pressure to sell Baja California to the U.S. knowing a bit of the history surrounding this situation it seems like kind of a slap in the face to the people who have had to work so hard to protect their sovereignty. On the other hand it could be exactly what they need to rejuvenate their economy.
sources:
(1)http://www.countriesquest.com/north_america/mexico/economy/mining.htm
(2)http://lenpenzo.com/blog/id587-how-mexico-can-save-its-oil-industry-sell-baja-california-to-the-us.html/comment-page-2
The proposal for an open pit mine in Baja Sur is challenged by residents and environmentalists. The idea that a foreign corporation will set up shop to extract gold does not fare well for the people of the community. Open pit mining has a carries high cost and risks. It involves moving tons of earth with large earth moving vehicles. Large quantities of water are required to process the ore. Water is a precious resource, of which 20 percent of the earth’s do not have an adequate amount of potable water. The ore containing gold is processed with cyanide, after which the gold along with cyanide is collected and are separated. The cyanide is then stored in artificial ponds for reuse. The artificial ponds and dams that collected the used cyanide are not immune to disaster. Considering that plate tectonic activity occurs in the Baja Sur region, it is not wise to have highly toxic materials that could wreck havoc on human communities and sensitive ecosystems. The environmental damage that open pit mining brings is too high price to pay. The proximity of UNESCO-designated Biological Reserve makes the surrounding area sensitive to disturbance.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/gallery_mines/4
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/20/AR2010092004730.html
Many people are concerned with the water pollutants around baja. They have proposed a law called the Law for Sustainable Development and the Protection of the Environment. Organizations are trying for this law to be put in place to protect the baja coast. They are in great need of help from everyone to help save our enviornment. Many people are saying this is a more important matter than the gold mines. However, many would argue that. There are many "gold diggers" mining in Baja California. They are making deals with gold companies and selling it online. This is important because it could hurt the enviornment.
ReplyDeleteSources~
http://www.vistagoldno.com/
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50142
In 1884, the French company El Boleo founded the city of Santa Rosalia, located on the Baja California peninsula. In exchange of building the infrastructure necessary for the city, the Boleo Mine exploited copper mines. It was between the 19th and 20th century when the world market of copper took off, as the demand of this metal increased from electric companies in Europe and the U.S. Since all the materials needed for the construction and exploitation of the mines had to be imported, a geographic division and discrimination among the people occurred. Within a decade of work, El Boleo exported 80% of Mexico’s copper. By the year 1900, Santa Rosalia had become a worldwide copper producer. It was until 1954 when the copper mining deposits were depleted, that El Boleo closed. The facilities of the mining site were never dismantled. The Boleo Mine is a sediment-hosted copper-cobalt-zinc-manganese ore deposit. It was reopened by the state government until the 1980s, when it was closed due to the lack of technology to extract the ore. Since 2004, Baja Mining Corporation, a Canadian mine company, has been trying to explore and reopen the Boleo Mine. Through the cooperation of Minera y Metalurgica del Boleo, the company owns 70% interest in the Boleo Mine, while Korean syndicate of industrial companies owns the 30% left. Baja Mining estimates that the mine contains up to 534 million tons of ore resources. In Novermber 2010, Baja Mining began the reconstruction of the Boleo Mine, and by early 2013, copper production is expected. Two of the missions of Baja Mining in El Boleo Project are to successfully construct and operate the mine in an environmentally and social responsible manner, and to develop other resource opportunities. Even though the collapse of the copper mining industry may have attributed to the backlash of the city, Santa Rosalia is now recovering thanks its increasing industry of ecotourism.
ReplyDeleteBaja Mining
http://www.bajamining.com/
Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Rosal%C3%ADa,_Baja_California_Sur
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3027-north-of-loreto-muleg%C3%A9-and-santa-rosal%C3%ADa-sun-beaches-hotels-and-history
Gold extraction in Baja California has created a great controversy from residents of Baja California; the residents concern is based on the proposal of Concordia, an open pit mine in the Sierra de la Laguna. The sierra is an important source of water for the communities in this area. They are concern because they believe that water would be contaminated by the chemical used in the leeching process. Cyanide is used in this technique for extracting gold which is highly poisonous. In the other hand; the Concordia Company states that they would implement environmental safe techniques “the Concordia gold project will employ state of the art environmental practices and operate in a manner that is designed to protect the natural environment and the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere"(WWW#1). I believe hat if Baja California lets this open pit mine to go forward the biodiversity, and the water of the Sierra de la Laguna would be drastically affected by the pollution generated by the mine industry.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bajainsider.com/environment/goldmineinbajasur.htm
PartA. By Bridget Hill aka Libbylovee001
ReplyDeleteShould offshore oil drilling in the California Coastal communities be allowed? This remains a heated issue. Rising fuel prices threatens the protection of the California Coastal communities.
In order to protect the California coastal communities and the environment from the impact of offshore oil drilling, Former President George Bush,Senior placed a federal moratorium that placed restrictions on the use of funds for new offshore oil and gas leasing. Responding to mounting political pressures to ease these restrictions, Former President George Bush,Jr rescinded the federal moratorium.
Allowing offshore oil drilling could play a major role in lowering fuel prices and eliminate our dependency on foreign oil. However, there are ecological concerns related to offshore drilling affects on the California coastal community. Offshore oil drilling is harmful to the sea environment. Attempting to locate oil, causing seismic waves, these sound waves are harmful to sea organisms.
Another environmental issue concerning offshore oil drilling in the California coastal community is the threats of oil spills. In light of the devastating environmental damage from the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California coastal waters, the need to protect the California coast from offshore oil drilling is valid.
Source:
http://sbmsworldhistory.wetpaint.com/page/Oil+Drilling+%26+Energy+Issues
Biol 143 502 Week #3 "Exploitation & Conservation of Baja's Earth Resources":
ReplyDeletePart A
The Colorado mining company that is called Vista Gold Corp. has contructed a gold mine called Concordia that used to be named Paredones Amarillos in the lower foothills of the United Nations protected Biosphere of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains 55 km south east of La Paz, Baja California. The controversy over this is whether the company should continue its operations near a protected biosphere. This mine would contribute greatly to Mexico’s economy but opposers to the mine are saying that it will ruin the environment of that Baja California area at the Sierra de la Laguna . What Vista Gold claims is that the Concordia gold mine will be an open pit mine and thus will not be environmentally damaging. The truth is that they will be using heavy blasting and leeching ponds with the toxic chemical cyanide, to extract the gold. Just to see some of the effects fo mining like this we can take a look at the Berkeley Pit which was once a huge copper pit mine, but now it is a toxic man-made lake of extremely acidic water. If Vista Gold Corp. is allowed to mine this way this is a very possible outcome of the environment in that area. Contaminated water is not the only problem that will be caused by such a mine but also by the method which is used in this type of mining which is to blast away gthe landscape. When explosives are used in mining not only does it break rock but it strips the area of plants and animals also. This will affect the biodiversity of the area and with it being so close to a protected zone it is more than likely to happen.
Sources:
http://www.bajainsider.com/environment/goldmineinbajasur.htm
https://sites.google.com/site/mexicowiki/news-features/open-pit-gold-mining
-Jose Antonio Vera II
Gold vs Water
ReplyDeleteA controversial issue near La Paz, in Baja California Sur, is causing trouble between a Canadian mine company –Vista Gold Co.- and the locals of El Rosario and El Valle Perdido. In 2002, Vista Gold bought the mine exploitation rights (www1). Basically, the project consists on obtaining 40 tons of gold during the course of nine years (www1). To do this, the project –called Paredones Amarillos- is planned as an “open pit” operation. It has been established that “fresh water will be used for process make-up, potable water needs and firewater” (www2). The project even promises to bring new jobs to the locality, who will be transported to the mine on a daily basis (www2). However, locals are feeling threatened by this project; they fear for toxic wastes, water pollution, and irresponsible leftovers. Because of all the chemicals that will be used in the process, without any doubt water will get contaminated by these agents. Activists rely on previous examples of similar occurrences (Mines in Guyana, Rumania and Peru) where arsenic and cyanide residuals polluted the water of the region. Therefore, locals are piously defending their land, “water is more valuable than gold” they say. Furthermore, they fear that after the mine closes, tons of material may be left on the scene altering the ecosystem (www2). It is important to note that locals aren’t against the exploitation of lands’ resources, what they are truly opposing is the process through which the corporation is planning to obtain the gold from the ground. On one hand, the company is expecting to obtain around 40 tons of gold, but they’ll first have to process around 40 million tons of material. Now, to separate the gold from the rough material, the company is planning to use a cyanide-based substance (as it was signaled before, this would leave highly toxic residuals). On the other hand, the company is planning to get their water-stock from a plant in a near-by town; it has been estimated that it will take about 1.4 millions of m3 of water per year. And if it wasn’t complicated enough already, this region houses the leatherback sea turtle, which will suffer the consequences if this project continues (www2). Another stir-up that this issue has caused is the questioning of institutional policies regarding the protection of natural areas. The local government is determined to defend the rights of the land, however the Mexican government is the one responsible for determining the viability of the project.
www1: http://www.infomine.com/suppliers/minedevelopments/paredonesamarillos/welcome.asp
www2: http://www.defiendelasierra.org
www3: http://www.vistagoldno.com/
Bonnie Flynn adding to Kenia Cano’s post
ReplyDeleteThe Mexican Gold Rush is facing much opposition from local Mexican communities and environmentalists. Of particular concern is the proposed Paredones Amarillo Gold Mine in Sierra de la Laguna. Not only is this region a groundwater source for thousands of local inhabitants, but it is also a designated world biosphere reserve. As with any controversial issue, there are two sides. However, it seems the only individuals for the exploitation of Mexico’s gold are those that directly benefit from it ( high ranking government officials, big investment banks, private investors, and the mining company, Vista Gold, itself). They argue that the proposed mine will create hundreds of jobs in the region and that they practice new and safe mining procedures. They promise to uphold strict international standards. (www#1) Local communities, on the other hand, are not buying it and are concerned about the ramifications the mining industry will have on their fragile surrounding ecosystems.
History has shown that areas where mines have developed have been used and abused. Typically mines create job rushes. These, however, are usually short live, only lasting as long as the resource can be mined. They produce an influx in the amount of jobs, which creates an influx of people. People go where they can survive. Tijuana, for example, used to be much less populated before all the manufacturing plants were built. Now the area is overpopulated with a huge number of environmental issues because of it. So the argument of job creation only brings with it a whole set of problems associated with degradation of the environment. A more specific example is that of Buyat Bay, Indonesia, where the Newmont Minahasa Raya Gold Mine was located. While in operation, the mine dumped countless tons of mining waste into the ocean using a method known as Submarine Tailings Disposal, which is banned in most developed countries. Not only is this area now struggling with coastal pollution and other negative environmental impacts, but the amount of health problems associated with the pollution and toxic chemicals has become a real issue. (www#2)
So what are these “new and safe” mining procedures? None of the Vista Gold websites describe any mining procedures that have less of an effect on the environment. Many mining companies claim to be eco-friendly because they use less plastic in packaging or less paper in administration, not because of their mining procedures. Most of these companies will say and do anything so they can take advantage of the increasing gold market. They are backed by powerful international and wealthy investors, which makes them virtually untouchable in countries that are poor and undeveloped. The death of environmentalist Mariano Abarca over his mine development protests uncovered payoffs of local governments by the mining companies, which were used to “alleviate opposition”. (www#1) This shady, morally corrupt behavior makes it hard to believe anything these mining companies say, especially when it comes to clean mining procedures.
Bonnie Flynn's comment continues (post was too big to post as one comment)
ReplyDeleteClean gold mining practices are not all that possible for large scale projects. It takes too much time, is labor intensive and costs a lot more than the cheaper, more environmentally destructive processes. Large scale mining consists of drilling and excavating tons of earth for ore deposits. Roughly one ton of ore produces one gram of gold. The deposits are then melted with cyanide and resolidified with lead. Sulfuric acid then burns off the remaining metals so that only gold is left. (www#3) Not only does this process create toxic waste from the chemicals used, but the natural processes of acidification and sedimentation that occur as a result are just as detrimental to the environment. These cause the pH of the surrounding water sources to change drastically, killing wildlife, and an increase in sedimentation and erosion in unwanted areas. (www#4) With many farmlands lying below the Sierra de la Laguna, these both can be a huge issue. What good will creating new jobs at a mine do at the expense of putting hundreds of farmers out of work?
If we want to continue to deplete our environment of natural resources, we need to take more responsibility in the way in which we do it. “Water is worth more than gold.”(www#5)
Sources
1)http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=9896
2)http://www.nodirtygold.org/buyat_bay_indonesia.cfm
3)
http://www.nordis.net/?p=2493
4)http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/resourcesknowthefacts/Mining+and+Water+Pollution.pdf
5)
http://www.vistagoldno.com/
I understand why the people of Baja California are so against gold mining in their area because of all the environmental toxins that it brings. We’ve come a long way in the area of technology and manufacturing so I wanted to know if there any environmentally friendly gold mining method that can be use today. In my research I found a company called Mammoth Tusk Gold Inc. who said that they are using water motion and gravity to extract gold instead of harmful chemicals. (www1) In Costa Rica, they are proposing to build zero non-toxic discharge plant using a multi process gravity mill. (www2) In Canada there is a company that produces a machine called Iconcentrator that separates gold concentrate wit out using chemicals.(www3)
ReplyDeleteYes, there are ways to mine gold that is not as harmful to the people and the environment. The question now is, will the Mexican government require mining companies to look for these safe practices when they do business in Mexico?
Sources:
1. http://www.dig4coins.com/news/latest-news/the-first-gold-coin-produced-using-environmentally-safe-processes
2. http://paradiseprofits.com/costa-rica/eco-friendlygold-mill-in-costa-rica-seeks-investors.html
3. http://www.iconcentrator.com/
In response to Josè:
ReplyDeleteAn open pit mine is defined as ‘an excavation or cut made at the surface of the ground for the purpose of extracting ore and which is open to the surface for the duration of the mine’s life.’1 the amount of engineering that goes into the design and operation of an open pit mine are extensive. Not only do planners need to take into account the cost of the mine and how to minimize expenses, but they also have to take into account the environmental impact the mine will have on the surrounding area.1 this economical/ environmental interface is where a mining company can either save a lot of money, or expend resources and manpower in the effort to minimize the impact the mining operation will have on neighboring ecosystems. “Planning must account for both environmental protection, beginning as early as the initial exploration, and for reclamation. It is critical that planning alleviate or mitigate potential impacts of mining for two key reasons: (1) the cost of environmental protection is minimized by incorporating it into the initial design, rather than performing remedial measures to compensate for design deficiencies, and (2) negative publicity or poor public relations may have severe economic consequences.”1 This last part, the “negative publicity or poor public relations” is what the Vista Gold Corporation is facing by mining in close proximity to the protected Biosphere of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. If feasible, Vista Gold can engineer their mine in such a way that it’s operation does not negatively impact the protected biosphere. If, however, the company’s engineers deem the necessary environmentally conscious measures unfeasible, then the company needs to move their mining operations to another location.
Source:
1 http://www.mine-engineer.com/mining/open_pit.htm
Marco Hermosillo
ReplyDeleteMexico is rich in gold. Even the symbolic eagle that is grasping the snake has feathers made of gold, I think. The Aztecs had so much gold they even ate it. Well, maybe that might be a stretch. But, I know the goblet from which they drank pure chocolate from was made of pure gold.
The Conquistadors of Spain and Portugal sole mission was to conquer and acquire the yellow ore. Whole civilizations would fall throughout Mexico before it was even called Mexico, because of a metal that was so alluring.
500 years later, what makes these times any different?
There are a couple of companies from Canada that want a piece of the pie that’s baked with a flaky “golden” crust.
But, they’ll have to wash that down with imported bottled water because the mountain springs will soon be contaminated as well.
Don’t drink the water will have a new meaning.
Cabo San Lucas is having it’s own dilemma with having gold in the hills. Los Cabos doesn’t necessarily need gold to boost their economy because they have awesome scenery and white sand beaches that attracts world renowned cruise ships.
It’s only the use of arsenic and cadmium that will leach into the drinking water where miners from a Canadian Investment company are about to carve a crater into a designated UNESCO world heritage site.
Humanos SOS is a group of environmentalist who have raised awareness about this atrocity. They are not going to sit idle while these foreigners dig on their soil and they are doing their very best to stop these invasive tactics.
Meanwhile, a yellow tied Canadian exec is sitting in his office with his goblet half empty.
The Conquistadors
http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/mayan/aztec.html
Gold Mining in Los Cabos
http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=11912
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50142
Katerina Axelsson
ReplyDeletePart A-
Gold and silver prices have skyrocketed within a few short years. Mexico’s Geological Survey opened twelve mining sites for mining investor. One of the companies involved, Pediment gold; has tested positive for gold at several Baja California mining sites.
Humanos SOS is fighting against these new mining operations because of the dangers it poses to the environment and habitat. Some of these activites are extremely toxic.
When gold ore is drilled out, it is crushed and mixed with cyanide solution, and that is how gold is separated from the mixture. The resulting waste products are toxic to the environment, and these techniques endanger the ecosystems of three biosphere reserves: Sierra La Laguna, Vizcaino Desert and the Sea of Cortes.
On January 16th, 2011, thousands of people protested the mining operations and formed a large "SOS" on the beach in Playa del Tule. Governor Mark Covvarrubias signed an engagement letter that would not approve toxic mining.
1)http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=11912
Katerina Axelsson-Part B
ReplyDeleteBaja california is rich in copper resources. The Baja Mining Corporation is expecting to produce 38,000 tons of copper annually, starting in 2013.
Along with copper, there are two distinct species of pearl oysters north of Guardian Angel Island, which covers 1,000 miles of shoreline. One pearly is worth up to six-thousand dollars. However, their supply may dwindle due to cyanide, sulfuric acid,arsenic, and zinc poisoning. The leading mining companies, Paradones Amarillos and La Concordia do not have environmental well-being as their priority when employment is a more imminent issue. Ecosystems and neighboring communities will take years to recover for the detrimental effects of cyanide alone. For this problem to go away, other employment opportunities that are equally profitable must be discovered.
1) http://www.mining.com/2011/06/19/canada’s-baja-mining-boleo-copper-project-in-mexico-to-begin-production-in-2013/
2)http://www.californiagenealogy.org/labaja/resources.htm
Regarding the Paredones, since renamed the Concordia gold mine I found has several environmental impacts that are so overwhelming it should halt its opearation. I understand the large potential for profit, but the ramifications seem to great to justify the profits. According to http://www.vistagoldno.com/2009/11/paredones-amarillos-before-and-after.html there are three tremendous environmental impacts. The first great concern is to the drinking water. The communities of Todos Santos and Los Cabos recieve less than four inches of rain annually. The primary reserve to drinking water for these communities is from Sierra De Laguna which would be endangered by this project. Secondly the land around the Sierra De Laguna is the only pine forest in the state. According to this site there are species in the forest that exist nowhere else in the world. Finally the long lasting environmental impacts of waste have not been properly accounted for. For example open pit mining that produces enough gold to create one ring may leave 20 tons of waste behind. The 9.5 year operation will leave waste behind that may outlive the gold ring.
ReplyDeleteIn response to “Kenia said…”
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the sentence “Water is worth more than gold” in Kenia‘s post, I was curious to learn more about what this really meant. What I first found about this, was the webpage Vista Gold No, which is a blog dedicated to the protest against toxic mining in Baja California, more specifically the blog’s main subject is the opposition to the building of the Concordia open pit gold mine in the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve above Todos Santos. The purpose of this blog is to raise awareness to the communities in Baja California Sur about the damage this and other mines can bring to the environment and the people itself in these areas. Around 15,000 signatures have been collected in Los Cabos, La Paz and Todos Santos, with the purpose to send a letter to the Governor and Congress take action against this and other open pit gold mining projects. As Kenia asked in her post, “What benefit can using sixteen tons of cyanide daily to extract gold bring to the community and ecosystem?”. If you really think about it, the only ones who will benefit from toxic mining projects in Baja California Sur would be the people behind the Canadian company Pediment Gold and the U.S. corporation Vista Gold. When it comes to money and power, many human beings would do anything, especially in such a rich industry, in which the destruction of ecosystems and exploitation of natural resources comes in the last place. Definitely, action needs to be taken to stop these toxic mining projects that put in danger not only the existence of our ecosystems and animal species, but the human health of the near citizens to those areas. It would a total tragedy to see how beautiful places such as Todos Santos, La Paz, and Los Cabos start degradating due to the lack of protection by the local and state authorities.
Vista Gold No: Protest Against Toxic Mining in Baja California Sur
http://www.vistagoldno.com/
Jimena Luna Part A
ReplyDeleteAs the price of gold is rising, Vista Gold Corp, a Colorado mining company, has its eyes on the gold mine called Paredones Amarillos in Baja California. This area is near the United Nations’ protected Biosphere of Sierra de la Laguna, which is a cause for concern.
Another reason to be worried is that the Sierra La Laguna is a very important water source. Water is an essential source that must be protected. The amount of water used during the extraction of gold will become contaminated with arsenic, sulfuric acid, cadmium, and other acids, which are poisonous to plants, animals and humans. Also the desalination needed during the mine’s function will impact the environment of the sea turtles and whales in the Baja California.
Although, the company assured that the process they will be using is designed to protect the environment and the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere, people do not believe them. Usually, when the mining company extracts all the gold they leave the mines open in which they continue contaminating.
Source:
http://www.bajainsider.com/environment/goldmineinbajasur.htm
http://sites.google.com/site/mexicowiki/news-features/open-pit-gold-mining
Jimena Luna Part A
ReplyDeleteAs the price of gold is rising, Vista Gold Corp, a Colorado mining company, has its eyes on the gold mine called Paredones Amarillos in Baja California. This area is near the United Nations’ protected Biosphere of Sierra de la Laguna, which is a cause for concern.
Another reason to be worried is that the Sierra La Laguna is a very important water source. Water is an essential source that must be protected. The amount of water used during the extraction of gold will become contaminated with arsenic, sulfuric acid, cadmium, and other acids, which are poisonous to plants, animals and humans. Also the desalination needed during the mine’s function will impact the environment of the sea turtles and whales in the Baja California.
Although, the company assured that the process they will be using is designed to protect the environment and the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere, people do not believe them. Usually, when the mining company extracts all the gold they leave the mines open in which they continue contaminating.
Source:
http://www.bajainsider.com/environment/goldmineinbajasur.htm
http://sites.google.com/site/mexicowiki/news-features/open-pit-gold-mining
Jimena Luna Part B
ReplyDeleteReply to Gina
I did not know that there are environmentally safe methods to extract gold. So I started to do some research about this, and I found that in 1958 Kennecott Mining Company patented the use of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans for copper extraction. Another method that seems to be safe, efficient and cheap is called “Biomining”. This method uses microorganisms instead of traditional physical-chemical methods to extract mineral ores or enhancing the mineral recovery from mines. Bioleaching and Biooxidation are two chemical processes used in Biomining. The microorganisms used in this method are bacteria. These bacteria should be thermophilic, chemophilic, autotrophic and have the ability to form biofilms. I think that the Mexican government should require mining companies to use these safe practices, if they want to get the permit to exploit the mine.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/10142642/Bio-Mining
http://www.panoramaenergetico.com/uso_de_microorganismos.htm
http://www.ambriefonline.com/april_may11%20suppl2.html
Part B: in response to Arnelle…
ReplyDeleteYou had mentioned the pirate invasion in Los Cabos. A miner’s job is a very dangerous one, and it is not just because of the dark, closed off environment filled with carbon dioxide and the risk of being trapped. There are also villains out there who want to steal the gold that the miners extract. Sonora State is home to many drug trafficking cartels. In 2007, some armed and masked assailants robbed the Cerro Colorado mine in Sonora of $500,000 worth of gold (Reuters). The amount of gold that they obtained was from about 2 week’s worth of mining (Reuters). However, despite the misfortune, the Cerro Colorado refused to shut down its facility in this dangerous territory. The mining company has taken other measures by stepping up its security to prevent any future activity from such rebellious and thirsty drug traffickers (Reuters). But is this enough to solve the problem? With the threat of terrorist attacks worldwide, and the never-ending economic crisis affecting the United States along with other countries, many people are taking drastic measures to acquire currency. It is understandable that Cerro Colorado needs to stay in business because the demand for gold continues to remain high and the business is very productive, having an estimate of 20,000 ounces of gold produced for one year (Reuters). But safety is definitely the main priority, whether the mining company sees it or not. Criminals are becoming very clever. Without the prevention of such attacks from happening in the future, miners’ lives may be at risk every time the come to work. If the miners are gone, then the business will be also.
Source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/07/19/mexico-gold-idUKN1923702020070719
Angela Tomlinson
ReplyDeleteAdding more information to your comment; the main source of contamination during gold extraction is by the process cyanide gold extraction which is used to separate gold from finely-ground rocks; this process is an environmental hazard because of the high toxicity of cyanide. Fortunately people now are aware of this process being so hazardous to the environment. An example is the local resident of sierra de La Laguna which are against the construction of an open pit-mine in the sierra de La Laguna because they understand the risk that the community natural resources; such, water and its ecological system, would undergo by letting the Vista Gold Corporation to start the gold extraction project.
http://sites.google.com/site/mexicowiki/news-features/open-pit-gold-mining
Part B
ReplyDeleteResponse to Lauren Wakham
The impact that this mining operation will have on the environment will be devastating. The destruction that open pit mining does on the earth environment is great and can be seeing in satellite images taken from the sky.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/gallery_mines/
As can be seeing in these satellite images the earth has been blasted away and large chunks have been removed. Not only is the land altered by this type of mining but some of the effects include chemical contamination, dust pollution, and surface and groundwater contamination. What is most sad about this new operation in Baja California by the Vista Gold Corp. at the Concordia site is that they do not recognize the harm they will be doing in the process of filling up their pockets with money. Other mining sites reveal the real harm that is done when open pit mining is done. This is irreversible damage that would take many man hours to improve, but never completely fix. Cyanide is used in the refining process to leach and separate valuable minerals from other unwanted minerals. Cyanide is very harmful to living organism because it interferes with the enzymes controlling the oxidative process which prevent the body’s red blood cells from absorbing oxygen. Cyanides toxicity levels are very high and is something that should be avoided. Imagine if this was in your water.
http://ecorestoration.montana.edu/mineland/guide/problem/impacts/default.htm
-Jose Antonio Vera II
Bonnie Flynn Part B Week 3 Blog Mining in Mexico
ReplyDeleteProtests over mining in Mexico did not begin with the proposed Paredones Amarillo Gold Mine in Sierra de la Laguna. Mexico is naturally rich with precious metal deposits and minerals. Industrial mining in the country first began back in the 1800’s. The people of Mexico are all too familiar with the implications of mining and the consequences it has on the environment and on the population.
In December 2009, the Mexican government shut down Blackfire Exploration, a Canadian-owned barite mine. Employees of Blackfire were blamed for the murder of Mariano Albarca, an active protestor of mining pollution. The mine has been accused of polluting nearby waterways. The government shut down the mine and ordered Blackfire review their dust and carbon dioxide emissions. (www#1) Again in 2009, Mexican authorities shut down the San Xavier mine due to pollution and illegally excavating at a historical site. San Xavier was also owned by a Canadian mining company. (www#2) More recently in March of this year, protests broke out at a San Juan del Progreso mine. The protestors claimed the mine was polluting groundwater. They used barricades and rocks to block the mine. (www#3)
These protests are for good reason. Studies have proven the negative effects the mines have on the surrounding environment. The region of Villa de la Paz is one of the most heavily mined regions in Mexico. A study conducted there found that lead blood level concentrations in wild birds were significantly higher than in wild birds in regions unaffected by mining. (www#4) Another study conducted along the San Pedro River documents the high concentrations of heavy metals and sulfates in the water. This can be blamed on sediment deposits from mining sites washing into the water and from mine tailing deposits. (www#5)
Although mining industries argue they bring money and employment opportunities into Mexico, the people of these regions are not interested. Their health and environment are more important to them.
Sources
1) http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2009/12/10/blackfire-mexican-mine-closed.html
2)http://mexicoinstitute.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/mexico-govt-closes-gold-mine-to-reduce-pollution/
3)http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/03/12/protest-mexican-alleged-pollution/
4)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20390847
5)http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009EnGeo..57.1469G
Part B: In response to Jasmine
ReplyDeleteThe 2006 discovery lead to the building of the first LNG import facility on the west coast of North America. The faculty was built by the Sempra Company in 2008. LNG stands for Liquefied natural gas, which is natural gas in liquid form. Natural gas is clear, odorless, non corrosive, or toxic. It is primary made of methane, water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur compounds. It can be used for heating, cooking, and as an alternate transportation fuel. The facility is located 14 miles north of Ensenada and serves as the new source of natural gas for Mexico, California, Arizona, and other western states. The facility cost about $1 billion dollars to make.
Sempra has agreed to provide ¼ of the gas produced by the faculty to Mexico’s state owned electric utility ( Comision Federal de Electicidad) but the remaining gas will be sold to any other industrial or manufacturing companies. Now the plant is under much scrutiny and faces potential closure due to allegations of bribery and claiming the land the facility is built on under false pretenses. In 2006 landowner/rancher Ramon Eugenio Sanchez Ritchie filed a lawsuit against the Sempra Company stating the company illegal built on his land. Ritchie is accusing the Sempra Company of falsely accusing him of being a squatter and wrongly filing court papers to remove him from his land.
References:
http://www.lngworldnews.com/energia-costa-azul-lng-plant-faces-closure-mexico/
http://www.energy.ca.gov/lng/faq.html#100
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=120BB44DEF247370&p_docnum=2&p_queryname=7
Part B: in response to Brandy
ReplyDeleteWow, it's a dog eat dog world out there isn't it? I feel for the miners who have to put bread on the table. It's a form of highway robbery when those cartels muscle their way in and take all that back breaking gold from them. Gold in the hills can be a "rush" so to speak. There is a certain psychology to all this and we have to find out what makes people so frenzied about gold when it's just a piece of metal.