Support Communities Affected by Mining

Volunteering Placement Code: 001-AR-CHT-ESQ-MA

City/Province/Country: Esquel - Chubut - Argentina

Host Organization Description: At the end of 2002, the citizens of Esquel self-organized in order to reject the mega open-pit mining project planned by Meridian Gold, a Canadian mining company. The project consisted of extracting gold by means of cyanide leaching, for which 6 tons of cyanide and 12 million litres of fresh water would be used daily. The project site is only 8 kilometres away from the town and close to important fresh water sources. On 23rd March 2003, 81% of the community voted against the project in a non-binding plebiscite, or referendum. This democratic and participative action, a landmark in provincial and national social history, set an example to other communities in Argentina that are affected or threatened by similar mining projects, and has encouraged these other communities to resist such highly hazardous activities. However, the interested company still does not respect the will expressed by the Esquel community in the plebiscite and keeps trying to circumvent the community’s determination in order to carry out this mining project. Also, the local and provincial governments have been bought out by the multinational mining lobby and act against the decision of the community.

Volunteering Placement Description: MAPU Association is currently cooperating with the Assembly of Self-Organized Neighbours against Mining of Esquel, Chubut province, in Argentinean Patagonia, on the national and international awareness campaign regarding the issue of communities affected by mining. The goal is to raise awareness about the environmental, social and economic dangers of metal mining exploitation, as well as to expose the ways in which foreign governments, financial entities, the international mining lobby, etc. promote the plundering of developing countries.

To this end, MAPU provides web hosting and technical support for the Neighbours Assembly’ website, and organizes and coordinates the translation of relevant information into English and German through virtual volunteers in order to spread information internationally about the communities affected or threatened by mining. The activities related to this volunteering placement include: edition and translation of texts, coordination and follow-up of virtual volunteers, searching and processing information, developing presentations, writing reports and press releases, contacting other communities affected by mining, assisting in the organization and coordination of activities (talks, assemblies, meetings), raising awareness about this issue, and participating in meetings/assemblies/etc.

Objectives: The objective of this volunteering placement is that you support Argentinean and Chilean communities affected or threatened by mining to raise awareness at an international level about this issue and about the dangers of mega mining as a non-sustainable activity creating high impacts on the environment, on local economies, and on the social balance. Also, the long term objective of this volunteering placement is to build a network of multipliers from different parts of the world who support the local communities.

Requirements: For this volunteering placement you need to share the ideals of the communities struggling to defend their rights, including (but not limited to): the right to live in a healthy environment; the right to self-determination in choosing their future and that of the coming generations; the right to economic self-determination; and the right to protect traditional production activities.

You also need to be flexible, proactive, creative and self-sufficient in your work.

Languages: Intermediate level of Spanish, and English, German, French or Italian as mother tongue

Minimum and Maximum Length: 1 month minimum, flexible maximum

Ideal Start Date: Flexible

Timetable: 20 to 25 weekly hours, from Monday to Friday, normally during the afternoon

Last Page Update: October 2009

Comments from Former Mining Communities Volunteers

During 1.5 months I worked as a volunteer with Asociación MAPU supporting the “Assembly of Self-Organized Neighbours against Mining of Esquel”. Among my tasks was translating texts for the website, coordinating the virtual volunteers and assisting in meetings. During my volunteering I learned a lot, I was able to use and refine my language skills and I learned how to update a website. The coordination of the virtual volunteers was what I liked most, because it is an extremely varied and challenging task.

I can warmly recommend this volunteer placement to anyone who is interested in environmental topics and who would like to get involved with a project where people try with concentrated forces to stop the catastrophic environmental degradation caused by mining in Patagonia. Through this volunteering with its diverse range of activities I gained valuable experience for future occupations.

Sarah - Switzerland - July/August 2007

During my five weeks as a volunteer with Asociacion MAPU, I worked on the website for the No a la Mina campaign. The old (current) website is being updated to make it easier to navigate and to update the look and feel of the website. Primarily, I added images and photographs to the new website. I also attended and participated in MAPU’s Annual General Meeting as well as participated in the monthly march for the No a la Mina campaign.

I have really enjoyed my time at MAPU and recommend volunteering here. When I arrived in Esquel, my goals were to make a useful contribution to a meaningful cause and improve my Spanish. I achieved both of those goals. I also met some great people, not just here at MAPU, but also in the community in general.

Aaron - Canada - February/March 2009

Pictures related to the "Support Communities Affected by Mining" placement