Green groups are celebrating Canadian mining company Noranda’s announcement that it is shelving plans for a massive aluminum-export complex in Chilean Patagonia, saying it marks one of their greatest victories ever. Noranda’s US$2.75 billion Alumysa project reportedly faced diminished market prospects. But political opposition also complicated the company’s plans for an aluminum plant, a port and three hydroelectric stations near Puerto Aysén in Chile’s 11th Region. (See “Plans filed for Patagonian aluminum plant”—EcoAméricas, Oct. ’01 and “Delay in decision on aluminum mega-project”—Mar. ’03.) Even Chilean President Ricardo Lagos weighed in, joining 11th Region politicians, salmon-farmers, tourism businesses and Chilean and international green groups to oppose intense industrial activity on the largely undeveloped Aysén area’s Chacabuco Bay. “In my opinion... [Log in to read more]
