Gold mine slated for biosphere in Mexico

Plans for a Canadian-run open-pit gold mine on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula are drawing criticism in no small part on account of the project’s location: in a biosphere reserve. Canadian-owned Vista Gold says it expects the Paredones Amarillos mine, slated for the Sierra de la Laguna biosphere, to produce at least 1.2 million ounces of gold over a 9.3-year period. Fred Earnest, Vista Gold’s president and chief operations officer, says the US$190 million investment will create 400 construction jobs and 300 mining jobs. Vista Gold intends to establish a foundation to support local health care and education, according to Earnest. “We want to be a responsible corporate citizen in Baja California Sur,” he says. The project is... [Log in to read more]

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