Police shot rubber bullets at the protesters (photo: UCR Press)
A peaceful anti-mining march headed towards the Midais mining site in La Rioja was forcefully put down by police using tear gas and rubber bullets this morning.
The march was made up of anti-mining groups and citizens from Famatina, the site of widespread protests in 2007 and 2012 when Canadian mining companies Barrick Gold and Osisko both tried unsuccessfully to begin projects.
Provincial police and the infantry came to break up the rally, which began in the town of Angulos, and though there were no serious injuries reported, they did shoot national UCR deputy Julio César Martínez with a rubber bullet in the neck.
The 25 environmentalists involved in the rally were ordered to not be within three kilometres of the mine. The police were called in when this was violated.
Many locals are against mining projects such as this one because they fear the environmental damage, the health risks, and the lack of economic benefits for themselves.
Residents of Famatina have been successfully able to thwart mining projects in the past by showing the companies do not have a ‘social licence’ to operate.
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