Mining Businessman Identifies Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) as Responsible for Toxic Ashes in San Juan City

Following DIARIO HUARPE’s report on toxic mining ash at the Chimbas Industrial Park, Sergio Vallejos, owner of BioCordillerana, accused Barrick of being responsible for the material on his property. He also noted that he sent a formal notice to the company, stating, "we have been negotiating for two years without any progress." Vallejos’ statement is significant, as he is the president of the Chamber of Mining and Energy Service Providers (Carpem) and a former gubernatorial candidate for the Liberal Evolution party.

The owner of BioCordillerana explained, “I took charge of the property that Daife had, and that toxic mining ash was already there. I immediately contacted the Environmental Department to inform them that I was responsible for safeguarding this material as required. Then, I reached out to Barrick and informed them that I had 500 cubic meters of ash on my property. At the same time, I sent a formal notice stating, ‘this ash belongs to you, but I will keep it here until we find a solution as I need you to take it away.’ The law requires responsible disposal to prevent improper handling.”

Vallejos further stated, “We’ve been trying to arrange for Barrick to remove the ash for two years, but they have yet to do so. We’re at a standstill despite good intentions. Negotiations do not exempt Barrick from being responsible for the ash.”

According to Vallejos, the ash stored at the Chimbas Industrial Park originates from mining activities. It consists of waste from the incineration of hydrocarbons (filters, hoses, brake pads, fuel, and oil containers) accumulated over more than two decades of mining in San Juan. These ashes have been stored pending safe final disposal, which has not yet occurred.

The ash affects residents in neighborhoods near the Chimbas Industrial Park, who report that they must limit outdoor activities for children on windy days and have noticed increased respiratory issues, such as asthma, within families in the area.

This toxic material should be stored in a secure landfill that meets all environmental regulations, rather than left exposed to weather risks, as it is now. Furthermore, it is located in a region like Chimbas, where the soil is permeable, and the area serves as a primary recharge source for the Tulum Valley aquifer.

The absence of proper disposal exposes the acidic mining ash to dispersion by the Zonda wind, exacerbating the environmental impact. Climatologist Germán Poblete warned that "with a moderately strong Zonda wind, this material could spread to Capital, Rawson, and Rivadavia, thereby expanding its impact."

A secure landfill should already be in place but remains unconstructed. Although a study was commissioned from UNSJ to evaluate the best location for such a landfill, no further steps were taken. Compounding this issue, companies responsible for ash management (BioCordillerana, Tecma, and Eco San Juan) offered to contribute financially to the landfill’s development but were rejected by the previous administration.

Current Governor Marcelo Orrego addressed the issue, stating, “Of course, we will address it. This problem has persisted for over 30 years, but we must tackle it and strive to resolve every aspect.”

Who is Sergio Vallejos Mini?

Sergio Vallejos Mini was a gubernatorial candidate in San Juan for the Liberal Evolution party, part of the Unidos por San Juan coalition. He is recognized as Javier Milei's representative in the province.

Vallejos has an industrial background as the manager of Zonda Safety Gears, a company that manufactures workwear for mining companies and now operates in the healthcare sector. He is 50 years old and has six children.

This article has been automatically translated and reviewed by an editor. Some nuances may differ from the original. You can read the original version [here].