BRIEFS: Environment

Residents planning mining protest

Residents of the Soná area of Veraguas are planning to demonstrate Monday to protest planned mining projects near their community.

Benedicto Santos, a spokesman for the Comité Pro Defensa de los Derechos Ciudadanos, said that the residents have asked the government to permanently ban all mining projects in the area because they are concerned that they could have a negative impact on the environment, and in particular, water supplies.

He explained that, despite numerous agreements to that effect, residents have discovered that the government is considering approving several proposed mining projects for the area.

Government officials promised to keep the area free of mining projects after a demonstration in August of 2007. Santos said that the officials now appear to be violating that promise in considering the current proposals.

The residents plan to close the bridge at the entrance to the community to protest the projects.