Tletama Community Defends Mining in Morelos

After environmental ministry SEMARNAT supported the protest against Esperanza Silver’s project by several communities in Morelos, the community of Tletema asked to accelerate the development of the project since it will be an engine of wealth for the region. In addition, the community stressed that reports that everyone is against the project and that its works have already begun are both incorrect.

Leobardo Espíndola Miranda, Department of Communal Assets of the Community of San Agustín, Tetlama, emphasized that contrary to the complaints of NGOs and the government, the works of the mining project in Cerro del Jumil have not begun. In addition, he stressed that most people support the project because it will be a socially and environmentally responsible project.

In addition, Espíndola asked the government to authorize the company's missing permits so that the project can generate a new source of employment in the community. “The community wants the project to be carried out. We know that the government do not have the capacity to employ more people of Temixco. However, with their permits, this project can engender  economic development for the community and, for a large part, of our nearby municipalities, too,” he said.

Recently, the community tired to promote agriculture via government programs, to little success. Therefore, mining represents a new opportunity for the region. Espíndola also highlighted that Esperanza Silver will help the community with key infrastructure and the supply of medicines.

Faced with accusations that the state would be taken advantage of and biodiversity destroyed, Espíndola stressed that the company has always taken the opinion of the communities into account: if they do not agree with the project , it will not be developed. He also alleged that the defamation campaign does not come from the community but from outsiders: “Few people disagree with the project. They are two or three people behind the entire smear campaign. They are people who have nothing to do with the community. They should not have the power to decide. We should, however, since we are the owners of these lands… We will not allow other people to impose their opinion. The community agrees and what we want are jobs and a better quality of life.”

This week, SEMARNAT backed the protests of inhabitants from Temixco, Morelos against the open pit mining projects Esperanza I and II of Esperanza Silver. SEMARNAT highlighted that the mining projects affect over 200,000 people and compromise the health and environment of the Temixco, Xochitepec, Miacatlan, Emiliano Zapata and Coatetelco municipalities. The ministry stressed the ecological damage caused by the mining operation impedes the communities to develop sustainable economic activities due to water and soil pollution, as the high demand for water also causes a risk of water scarcity. Previously, residents of Temixco, backed by NGOs, announced a decree to ban mining activities in the territories traditionally occupied by Nahua Indigenous communities.