A group of two thousand protestors against a proposed uranium mine near the Portuguese border gathered today in Vitigudino, Salamanca.
The uranium mine project at Retortillo, has pushed local livestock farmers into ‘serious objection’ mode as they fear the open cast mine will affect their animals.
The farmers organised the protest and were joined by the Stop Uranium group and demonstrators from 42 municipal councils in the western province of Salamanca.
Among the protesters was the leader of the ‘United Left of Castile and Leon,’ who believes that the Berkeley uranium mine project “has its days numbered" and that there will be a "defeat of the multinational Berkeley Energia, thanks to the mobilisation of thousands of livestock farmers."
Both Spanish and Portuguese environmentalists object to the construction of an open cast mine in Retortillo by Berkeley Energia. The Portuguese environmentalists say that as the mine is 40 kilometers or so from the Portuguese border, there will be serious impacts on the environment and on health.
The Portuguese Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs announced on May 24 that Spain had provided "detailed information" on uranium mining projects in Salamanca and the Retortillo-Santidad in border areas, and reported that Portugal’s government will be ‘involved in the process.’
Parliament approved a set of seven cross-party resolutions this March, with recommendations to the executive that it took immediate measures with the Spanish government to suspend uranium exploration in Salamanca.
The Portuguese Environment Agency says the uranium mining project easily could have significant environmental effects in Portugal, “due to its proximity to the border and taking into account the East and Northeast winds.
Berkeley wants to invest €75 million, dangling a long-term investment figure of €250 million, 450 jobs and up to 2,000 indirect jobs in a community hard hit by long-term unemployment.
Berkley Energia claims it “is actively supporting local businesses and the activities of local municipalities.”
The company website explains: “The mine design incorporates the very latest thinking on minimal environmental impact and continuous rehabilitation such that land used during mining and processing activities is quickly restored to agricultural usage.
“In August 2016 the Company entered the development phase and began initial infrastructure work on site. Development work commenced on the road realignment and power line upgrade ahead of main construction.
“Following a US$30 million equity raising in 2016, the Company commenced initial construction in July 2017 when the primary crusher was delivered to site.
“Last year, the Company signed US$120 million sovereign wealth fund strategic investment to fund the Salamanca mine into production.
“In July 2018 the Company successfully listed on the Main Board of the London Stock Exchange and on all four Spanish Stock Exchanges, becoming Spain’s only listed mining company.”
In September this year, the company reported that the entire population of Retortillo, half the population of Villavieja de Yeltes and many residents from other towns surrounding the project, have signed a petition to show their support for Berkeley‘s Salamanca mine. The petition currently has nearly 1,500 signatures.
Residents cited job creation, which will allow young people to remain in their hometowns and reverse decades of depopulation, as a key reason for signing the ‘Si A La Mina’ petition.
The Company claimed to have received over 22,500 job applications, with 400 of those coming from villages surrounding the project and of those, over 110 from Villavieja alone, which represents 25% of the population of the village.
Berkley Energia’s Managing Director, Paul Atherley, said in September,
“Development of the mine will stimulate the return of services such as schools, petrol stations and transport to the local villages and will help to bring back some of the 25,000 mainly young people who left the area last year to look for employment.
“If young people want to stay and take on the meaningful careers that are created by economic development, they will get married and hopefully have families which will rejuvenate once-thriving local villages.
"We are incredibly proud of our investment and the rejuvenation it will bring to the local community.”
Dangers to workers
Generally, the highest potential radiation-related health risk for uranium mining or processing facility workers is lung cancer associated with inhaling uranium decay products (more specifically, radon decay products), as well as other non-lung-cancer risks associated with gamma radiation exposure on-site.
The health effects of natural and depleted uranium are due to chemical effects and not to radiation. Uranium's main target is the kidneys. Kidney damage has been seen in humans and animals after inhaling or ingesting uranium compounds.
Uranium is also a reproductive toxicant.
