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France blocks controversial rainforest gold mine in French Guiana Rhett Butler, mongabay.com February 6, 2008
IAMGOLD, a Toronto based mining and exploration company, had been seeking to develop gold deposits in the Kaw Mountain region of French Guiana, an overseas department of France located on the northeastern coast of South America. The proposed concession bordered Trésor -- a rainforest reserve that houses protected wildlife -- and is close to Kaw swamp, a Ramsar-listed wetland. The Kaw Mountain area is home to 700 plant species, almost 100 species of mammals and 254 species of birds, according to the IUCN. Mine opponents -- including a coalition of environmentalists, indigenous rights' groups, and some scientists said the project could result in forest clearing, contamination of groundwater and soils with heavy metals and other toxic substances, and erosion and sedimentation of local waterways. The project also threatened the area's high levels of biodiversity — a risk highlighted in a report by French scientists.
Dr. Pierre-Michel Forget, a biologist from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Brunoy, France who has worked in the region for more than 20 years, says that IAMGOLD failed to account for the biological richness of the Kaw region. "We clearly highlighted and presented data showing that the previous pre-project environmental survey was weak as the flora was not correctly inventoried and that there was no adequate tree census," Forget told mongabay.com. "The open pit mine would have threatened key forest habitat of Kaw... there was also some uncertainty on whether cyanide-laced waste water could flood the Kaw swamp during exceptionally heavy rainfall during the wet season."
"It means that the proposed natural reserve enclosing the entire mountain and swamp of Kaw is now sound as there is no more mine project," he said. "The area is now open to further eco-tourism development. There is a great potential for tours now." Still, Forget warns that further steps are needed to ensure Kaw's biodiversity is indeed protected. "Hunting in Kaw now becomes the focus," he said. "National Natural Reserve status is needed for the entire area with to prevent hunting pressure. Strong enforcement is needed." A statement from the French government seemed to indicate its interest in protecting the site for the future. "Guyane is one of the last great forests in the world that is not fragmented by human activities," said MEDAD in a statement. "There are several thousand species of plants, and hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles." "French Guiana hosts an exceptional ecological heritage. The French Government is aware of its responsibility and aims to be exemplary while preserving biodiversity," concluded Borloo. News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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