POSITION STATEMENT

First of all, I am very concerned about water which is becoming an important issue on Earth. The Canadian company wants to translocate a huge glacier that is fundamental for Chilian people. I am against this project that does not take care of the social and the environmental aspect even if the companie pretend to do so. They propose many solutions for this glacier but I think we can't be perfectly sure of what will happen to this natural ressource with human intervention. They must deviate a river to install a water treatment plant because of the polution that will be produced. Indeed, they admit having to contaminate it with dangerous products for the Pascua Lama project extraction such as arsenic, mercury and other heavy metals. These products could cause serious injuries or even death. It could also contaminate water for future generations. In fact, I think there is a moral debate between profits and human lives which depend on this water.

They must relocate an important part of the glacier. Knowing that the glacier's overall area extends to approximately twenty hectares, it is a laborious project. Taking such an important fragment will necessarily affect local farmers. The pollution caused by mining and the impacts on local waterways could therefore condemn the agricultural sector.