what is so hard for these people to understand.....

yes, mining disturbs/destroys the environment..

yes, LC is located in one of the most beautiful rainforest areas of the world...

the problem with a "no mining the imataca" standpoint is....if you outlaw mining in this area at this time then all you end up with is a few locals spilling mercury/cyanide at random to make a few bucks and benefit no one else...

as "unsavory" as it may seem from an environmental standpoint....fact is, that an international company mining LC under "not quite kyoto" world guidelines is better than what the local guy is gonna give you......

and as much as hugo and the current ministries want to believe it...they just cant control the locals from doing whatever the hell they want with this area when nobody else is looking....the longer they wait to make a decision....the more f'd up the rainforest gets.... thats the environmental truth.....imo