The United Nations (UN) warned that contamination in the Sonora River remains active. More than a decade after the environmental disaster recognized by SEMARNAT, families continue consuming water containing toxic metals that put their health at risk.
UN Special Rapporteur Marcos Orellana met with residents of the Sonora River Basin Committees to assess the situation. Following the review, the specialist documented serious shortcomings in the plans to clean up the river, repair the damage, and provide care for those who have become ill.
AGREEMENTS MADE BEHIND THE POPULATION’S BACKS
One of the most critical points highlighted by the organization concerns the actions of Mexican authorities. The report questions the government’s decision to negotiate directly with Grupo México instead of listening to and including the affected citizens.
In addition, the UN expressed concern that authorities have ignored rulings and orders issued by the Supreme Court of Justice to protect the community.
WHAT MEASURES ARE STILL PENDING?
More than a decade after the tragedy, the population’s main demands remain unanswered. These include the lack of a specialized medical center to treat heavy-metal poisoning, as well as an effective plan to remove toxic metals from the water and soil and comprehensive compensation for the economic and social damage suffered by affected families.
12 YEARS AFTER THE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER
On August 6, 2014, the Buenavista del Cobre mine, located in Cananea, Sonora, spilled 40 million liters of acidified copper sulfate and other heavy metals into the Bacanuchi and Sonora rivers.
The disaster affected more than 22,000 people in seven municipalities, contaminating drinking-water sources, bringing the area’s agricultural and livestock economy to a standstill, and causing acute and chronic health problems among the population due to the toxicity of the water.
WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE?
The main party identified as responsible is the mining conglomerate owned by businessman Germán Larrea, who owns the operating company. According to PROFEPA and SEMARNAT, the disaster was caused by the failure of an overflow pipe due to a lack of maintenance.
However, the Supreme Court and various expert assessments determined that authorities also bore responsibility. Government agencies committed omissions by failing to properly supervise the mine before and after the tragedy.
WHAT SANCTIONS AND LEGAL MEASURES WERE APPLIED?
In September 2014, the federal government and Grupo México signed a voluntary trust fund for 2 billion pesos to repair the damage in the area.
However, in February 2017, environmental authorities and the company declared the objectives fulfilled. The trust fund was closed after only 1.25 billion pesos had been used, so the remaining money was returned to the mining company.
In addition, infrastructure promises were not fulfilled, as the installation of 28 water-treatment plants and the construction of a specialized toxicology hospital remained unfinished.
Although administrative fines totaling 23 million pesos were imposed on the company, no executive or public official faced criminal responsibility.
SUPREME COURT (SCJN) INTERVENTION
In 2020, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) granted protection to the affected communities. The highest court determined that the trust fund had been closed illegally and without consulting residents, and therefore ordered the case to be reopened to guarantee medical care and environmental cleanup.
Later, in 2023, SEMARNAT filed a new criminal complaint against Grupo México after concluding that the remediation work submitted by the company was insufficient.
Source: vanguardia
