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The Guasco Alto Water Assembly has issued a strong statement regarding the recent sanction imposed on the mining company Atex Resources for illegally extracting water in an area Huasco Alto, an area affected by water shortages in the north. This incident underscores the seriousness of the mining company’s actions and highlights the dire need to protect water resources in an area where water is extremely valuable.
On January 23, 2024, the State’s assessment agencies conducted a field study of the El Encierro project, operated by Barrick and Antofagasta Minerals, as part of the environmental assessment process. During the visit, the Directorate General of Water (DGA) discovered that water was being extracted directly from the river using pipes and hoses. The investigation concluded that Atex Resources, involved in the Valeriano project along El Encierro, was responsible for these illegal extracts in the headwaters of the El Tránsito River, a vital tributary of Huasco River. As a result, the DGA imposed a level 4 fine, equivalent to 854 UTM or 56,279,454 pesos from August 2024, and ordered the suspension of all the work involved.
The Guasco Alto Water Assembly denies that it was revealed that Atex Valeriano SpA has been extracting 46.1 liters per second of water from natural sources illegally since at least 2021. This water was used to fill tank trucks and two pipes for the camp, which will have a negative impact on the water supply in the area.
The breach, the declaration says, is particularly bad in basins declared exhausted, where new rights for water use are not allowed. The situation was referred to the Prosecutor’s Office due to the seriousness of the crime.
The company, represented by Jose Massu Larachhe recognized the shares made from October 2023 to May 2024, a critical period for local agriculture. Many farmers had to change their crops or not plant crops due to the drought.
This case highlights how mining companies go against the current regulations, so the Senate calls on the authorities to strengthen their investigation efforts and advocate for legislative change which subject mineral exploration to rigorous environmental assessments and ongoing monitoring. Although the Senate recognizes the work of the DGA Atacama for its effective monitoring, it points out that more resources are needed to continue these monitoring activities.
The Senate calls for the immediate suspension of illegal water works and calls on the Huasco River Inspection Board to fulfill its oversight role to protect water resources. Along with this, he expresses his concern about the presence of new mining companies which, even before they begin their use, cause great damage to local communities and ecosystems.
Large mining projects are seen as a threat to the high mountain range, the glaciers and the survival of the valley. The Senate reaffirms that it rejects destructive mining development and protects a stable, unpolluted valley.
