Intag Solidarity Network (ISN)

International Observer Events Report

On Wednesday, May 4th, representatives of Ascendant Copper and Whistler (working for Ascendant Copper) came to the community of Junìn. They were Giovanni Rosania, general manager of Ascendant Copper, Pierre [last name unknown] of Whistler, and a third man. The men were stopped at the community roadblock, conversed with community members who told them they absolutely do not want mining, and were then asked to leave. The men never entered the community of Junìn nor the community reserve.

The men arrived at approximately 11:30 AM and were stopped at the community roadblock. They were allowed to sit on the patio of a nearby house and community members were alerted of their presence. Within about a half hour, 40 community members were present. Hugo Ramirez videotaped the events as did Charles Carlin, international observer of the ISN.

The men explained their presence in Junìn by claiming that they were interested in learning the position of people in Junìn about mining. However, much of the meeting was devoted to the visitors trying to convince residents of the benefits of mining, defaming the mayor of Cotacachi County, Auki Tituaña, and lecturing residents about deforestation.

The community response was emphatic: no to mining and no to the presence of mining companies or anyone affiliated with mining companies in their community. Residents explained the value of the clean water, fertile land, and agricultural work that they currently have. They clearly explained their understanding that all of this would be destroyed with mining. When Mr. Rosania claimed that residents only know the negatives of mining and not the positives, they responded making it perfectly clear that they understood the effects of mining and are not interested in the project.

Residents also made the visitors aware of the threats and actions of Carlos Alonso, of Garcia Moreno. They told the men about death threats and acts of intimidation led by Mr. Alonso against residents of Junìn and the surrounding communities. This is one reason that they ask that no representative or affiliate of any mining company come to their communities. .

At that point the men were asked to leave. They prolonged the conversation another 15 minutes or so and then were asked to leave again. They left at approximately 1:30 PM.