Ecologists and large-scale mining operations, thoughts about why and how become involved in the mining-environmental conflict

Abstract

The number of large scale mining operations has been increasing greatly in Argentina during the last decade. Because large scale mining demands the surrender of large natural areas and the extensive use of toxic substances (e.g., cyanide), it has resulted in social and environmental conflicts of diverse magnitude. An array of different social subjects has publicly stated their support or opposition to mining activities. Conversely, professional societies (i.e., Asociación Argentina de Ecología [ASAE] and Sociedad Argentina para el Estudio de los Mamíferos [SAREM]) with active participation of ecologists have been absent from the debate. Here I argue that both ASAE and SAREM should become publicly involved the mining-environmental conflict not only to fulfill their foundational objectives (contributing to the protection and conservation of Argentina’s natural heritage) but also because of the scientific- technical character assumed by the documents developed and presented by mining companies (e.g., environmental impact assessments [EIA], monitoring plans and reports). Potential mechanisms for involvement include: active participation in the evaluation of documents produced by mining companies, public dissemination of these evaluations, collaboration with state agents responsible for evaluating EIAs and monitoring programs, planning and implementation of legal action against those professionals and public officers who endorse low quality technical documents, and promotion of ethical behavior within the field of Ecology.