Heavy metals.- Because the rock that will be removed not only contains the much sought gold, but it also releases other elements, such as heavy metals (arsenic, lead and mercury). The products from the degradation of cyanide or the ones obtained from the pulverization of the rock, in a different way and throughout time reach superficial and subterranean waters. Heavy metals are highly toxic due to the fact that they cannot be processed by the human body. In the Esquel region there exists an important percentage of arsenic that will be set free from the ESCOMBRERA and the results in human health can result in VITILIGO or generalized prurite and even in encelophaties or damage to the marrow bone.

Acid sewage : Because there is also the danger of acid sewage, this to say that the earth and water can be contaminated by sulfuric acid, that is produced with the process of grinding the rock setting free the sulfates and therefore can contaminate the earth and water. On those cases a study says "the acid is transported from the mine in the water, rain or superficial flows and later deposited in water, streams, rivers, lakes nearby. The acid sewage severely degrades and damages the water, and can extinguish aquatic life, as well as practically turn the water useless".

Quantity and Quality of the Water : Because there is a direct influence in the water in quantity and quality. It's good to be reminded that one of the most important concerns worldwide right now is the access we have and the quality of the water, and that the water crisis will be the foremost important one in the next century. All mining projects will use immense quantities of water and will degrade vastly the quality.

Leaching with cyanide : Because the gold exploitation method that will be used is a process called "leaching with cyanide solutions" represent a real and potential danger to humans and environment, by using high dosages of a substance that is highly toxic and pollutant. In the case of Ezquel, the plans were to use 180 tons of sodium cyanide approximately and other chemical substances e.g. 12 tons of hydrochloric acid, 12 tons of SODA CAUSTICA, 1.400 kgms of LITAGIIRIO, etc.
It is important to mention that the cyanide remains "active" for a long time, it just doesn't disappear or go away.

Non profitable : Because it is a project of temporary and short term benefits. It's a cure that will give us "bread today and hunger tomorrow". When the company withdraws/goes away , it will bring unemployment, (or additional consecuences) without any natural resources left available and with many workers with severe health problems, due to the work they had to do in the mines.

Looting : Because the economic profit it represents for the Country, Province and our town is almost non existent, compared to the immense wealth and profit they would gain.
Law 24.196 regarding mining Investment points out, in that sense that provinces cannot charge royal privileges " a percentage superior to 3% of the face value of the product that is extracted (not even the processed mineral). This is to say that the supposed economic benefit for the province will be just crumbs compared to the exquisite feast served abroad in foreign countries...

Because they will not pay for gross profit, patent, taxes on food, nor taxes for CHEQUE, nor import taxes, they will receive the full refund of the VAT tax, they will be able to deduce so many things from their balances, that they will never pay taxes on their profits because they will receive refunds if they export from Patagonian ports, therefore they will be able to pay off 100% on the outside, mocking all internal control.

Bad experience : Because this type of mining is barred in most places around the world like Montana (USA), Turkey, Greece or severely restricted in places like California (USA). Each day there is more rejection from affected countries around the globe. In our country in provinces like Catamarca and Jujuy, they are fighting to expel the mines from their land and they are deeply affected by their health problems, as well as their kids.

Negative social impact : Because the social impact it has is impressive. In al cities where there have been mining projects there is unorganized growth, but they are also affected by a raise in crime, disease, violence, single motherhood, prostitution, etc. It is foreseen, that immigration will grow massively with non educated people that will have a negative impact for the local population, foreigners will take job postings, and a decline on public service, due to the lack of the necessary infrastructure needed and readily available (housing, public health, education and social planning) which in the near future would and could represent a future filled with insecurity.

Few job opportunities : Because there would not be enough job opportunities created, so the benefit in that sense would not be important considering the risks that this undertaking would represent. Besides, these companies are very specific when it comes to the qualifications they look for in the people they hire (for instance full POLIMODAL) that most people (at least the ones that need it the most) are not in any condition to obtain it. And besides there is no specific requirement for hiring in house labor.

Lack of control : Because we sadly cannot rely on our authorities control, taking into consideration the economic power these mining companies have, and the existing corruption in our country.

Destruction of our ecosystem : Because this mine will completely transform huge extensions of land and will destroy our landscape, changing the topography of the place, and in case it is set up in the open air, it will leave a crater of high magnitude/scale. Therefore it will immensely affect the morphology of the terrain. It will also destroy the flora and the wildlife, it will alter the streams and quality of water, it will pollute the landscape, with the dust that the rock grinding will leave behind, and there will also be noise pollution due to the operation of the machinery.

Swindle : Because we are united and we are many, and each day we are more, those who are tired of true intentions being hidden behind "masterpiece" projects so that only a few get all the benefits (the same one's always)in a big way and in contradiction with the true benefit and interest of the people.

And foremost because most of the time "the intelligent person is not the one who always says yes, the intelligent person is the one who can say NO at the right moment/time".

Neighbors united for the vote to say NO to the Mine - Esquel