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Grupo México Accused of Inadequate Response to Sonora River Contamination
The Mexican government has accused mining company Grupo México of inadequate response to the ecological disaster caused by the company’s Buenavista del Cobre mining complex. The disaster, which occurred in 2014, involved the dumping of 40,000 cubic meters of acidulated copper sulphate, affecting the Sonora River and surrounding areas.
Government Criticism:
- Grupo México allocated only 7.8 million pesos directly to people affected by the disaster, despite a trust fund initially planned for a two billion peso budget.
- The company has resorted to delaying remediation work despite documented negative effects on water, land, air, flora, and fauna.
- Only 1.232 billion pesos of the committed two billion pesos were actually implemented.
- The government considers Grupo México’s remediation efforts inadequate and has ordered them to modify their programs.
Company Response:
- Grupo México has not publicly responded to the government’s accusations.
Consequences:
- The company faces potential legal repercussions and potential financial penalties.
- Damage claims from affected individuals and communities are likely to arise.
- The incident has raised serious questions about the environmental responsibility of large mining corporations.