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CO - OPERATION AND CONFLICT BETWEEN FIRMS, COMMUNITIES, NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT. CERRO DE SAN PEDRO CASE Jose Gpe. Vargas-Hernandez The mining company begun operations for an open pit mine of gold and silver supported by officials from the local, state and federal government. The inhabitants of these communities supported by environmental groups and NGOs argue that the project will pollute sources of fresh water besides of perturbing the environment and the ecology of the region. The presence of the mining company (MSX) in Cerro de San Pedro has caused a severe social conflict among the inhabitants of San Pedro, Soledad y San Luis and has called the attention of all who are concerned by historic heritage, cultural and environmental issues. At the center of the controversy is the cheap and efficient technology. Federal and state Laws were violated. It is quite evident the lack of sensitivity of foreign mining companies toward the consequents of their activities upon the communities and environment. This case also shows the lack of negotiation between firms, communities, new social movements and governments. The aim of this paper is to analyze relationships of cooperation and conflict between a mining company and the involved communities, New Social Movements and the three levels of government. He research-project focuses on the impact (conflict - co-operation) of NSM on firms in the context of environmental problems and environmental sustainability. The research will consists out of three stages and will be conducted by two experienced research teams..The research project will also built further on explorative - inductive research. In a first phase a literature review will be conducted which aims to discuss relevant studies and summarise the most important research results. The research team will focus on the literature concerning new social movements and actions of new social movements towards firms. The research team will analyse the literature on the impact on organisations (structures, rules, decision-making processes). This first phase will require three months of research for both teams. This stage will result in a report and a journal article. In a second phase a database will be established
on the basis of interviews with key-experts and an analysis of periodicals
and newspapers via CD-roms. (provisional list: KNACK, Le Vif/L'Express,
Trends, De Standaard, Le Soir, Economist, etc.) The search for cases
will be limited to the last three years because the research teams
must be able to contact key-experts who are involved in a case for
more detailed information and interviews. Going back further in
time will compromise the accuracy of the information and the possibility
to contact people. It should be noted that selecting recent cases
does not imply that only cases with no history or a limited timespan
will be analysed. From previous explorative research we know that
many cases have a long history and that they emerge, for instance
in media coverage, at regular times. The search for cases will not be limited to Mexican but will also be expanded to European and international sources (and experts) in order to increase variation and diversity between cases. The latter will be done because we can expect that in certain countries which have a longer tradition in sustainable business and corporate social responsibility (Netherlands, Scandinavian countries) interesting cases can be found. In addition, there is already a difference in tradition of deliberation and negotiation between firms and external partners (unions, governments) in different countries which can have an effect on the emergence and development of new forms of co-operation and conflict (see for example Crepaz, 1995). A mailing list of international contacts will be established on the basis of interviews and existing websites and mailing lists in this area of research. The embeddedness of the two research teams in international research networks garantees an effective and efficient use of the different information sources. A short survey will be send to the mailing list in order to identify interesting cases. The inventory and the establishment of the database has two objectives: First, the inventory will be used as a theoretical sampling framework to select cases for further research (see phase 3). On the basis of this framework several interesting cases will be selected for in-depth case research. The selection of the cases will be done on the basis of theoretical sampling which will pay attention to the fact that there will be enough variation on the different important aspects of cases such as type and magnitude of new social movements, forms of action, type of firm, role of the government, etc. Secondly, the database will be used to perform a comparative explorative analysis of the cases in the database. The inventory of cases should result in a database which contains for each case basic information such as name and type of NSM, demands of NSM, modes of action, name of firm, sector, results of the conflict, timespan, role of government agencies, etc. This database can then be used to analyse different forms of conflict and co-operation and built typologies. It should be noted that concerning this type of research it is impossible to establish a representative database because there is no reference population. The most important aim of the database is to map diversity between cases and not to make an estimation of the magnitude of the different forms of conflict and co-operation. The second phase will be conducted by both teams and will take 4 months. The second phase will result in a database and a paper in which the different cases will be compared and a typology of different forms of co-operation and conflict will be presented. The comparative analysis of the different cases will be done by means of specific developed analytical techniques such as Qualitative Comparative Analysis (zie Ragin 1987, 2000; De Meur & Rihoux 2002) In a third phase several cases will be further analysed via in-depth interviews and the analysis of written sources. Each case will be analysed from the perspective of the new social movement as well as from the perspective of the firm. From each perspective special attention will be paid to the (possible) role of the government and policy-makers. The team will concentrate on new social movements. (aims, modes of action, coalitions, etc.). The team will concentrate on firms and analyse the impact on organisations (structures, rules, strategies, environmental policy of companies, etc.). For each case an integrated report will be made which will pay attention to the start of different forms of conflicts and co-operation, the development (dynamics) of these new relations between firms and NSM and their impact on firms (and the market). In each case specific attention will be paid to the specific role of government or government agencies. This assessment of the role of the government will generate input for the analysis of the policy implications of this research project. In addition a comparative analysis of the different cases will be conducted in order to discuss the differences between the different cases. Mining activities are perceived as the main factor of marginal regions and depressed zones. Mining concessions granted by Mexican government is centralized, brief and against public hearings, in such a way that affected groups and communities can not react immediately and mobilize against potential risks and dangers or to negotiate rights and interests. The Canadian firm Metallica Resource Incorporated was at the point to destroy part of the environmental, cultural and historic heritage of the country, although there were three judicial resolutions to halt operations granted by different authorities upon request of the. Ejidatarios who have rights to own the land had been dispossessed. It was assumed that operations of the firm were in complicity with the Federal, State and local governments. The environmental and health risks would have side effects on more than one million people living in the localities of Cerro de San Pedro, la Soledad and San Luis Potosi. Norms were violated by the transnational when it started operations without obtaining legal permit of construction and operations and authorization to manage and to store explosives. Exploitation of gold trough open pit mining and use of cyanide lead to destruction of natural environments and irreversible geomorphologic alterations, distortions of watersheds, reduction on the quality of available water, transport accidents of dangerous substances and spill over during the exploitation, irreversible destruction of natural scenic and generation of deposits highly risky pollutant materials which have social, cultural and environmental impacts at short, medium and large terms (Montenegro, 2004). The negotiation agenda and international mobilization
around the debate over the concept of sustainable development and
defense of the environment is a paradigm presented as a model of
cooperation and consensus where the needs of all are incorporated
and the greater have a compromise to support weaker. Intervention
of the state and international community to benefit the public interest
and the common good and to control forces of the state and to achieve
more equity among populations together with the implementation of
more sustainable production and consumer patterns. This case also shows the lack of negotiation between firms, communities, new social movements and governments Information about externalities and future costs of company activities is crucial but more crucial is formulation and implementation of more sensitive policies to avoid damage of the environment, biodiversity and health of population. Governmental institutions must be aware that their decisions may affect the community quality of life of actual and future generations only for a small increment in economic growth and large increase in private benefits of a small group of investors. More informed citizens tend to be more active protestors, such as the case of the students in San Luis. Contact between informed individuals of diverse groups and organizations help to exchange experiences and create public opinion in favor of mobilizations. Community participation and involvement in decision making of community development planning is quite limited by the lack of critical information. This fact is critical when the local government can not provide the right information because there are other interests affecting the process. The impact of mining activities is not part of the national political debate agenda References Bardacke, Ted (1993) "The Mexican Gold Rush" en El Financiero Internacional, Sep. 27- 0ct. 3, 1993, pp. 14-15. Border Ecology Project (1994) "Environmental Protection within the Mexican Mining Sector and the Impact of World Bank Mining Loan #3359", Draft Report, April 1994. Comisión de la Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí para la Revisión del Proyecto Cerro de San Pedro de Minera San Xavier (1998), Opinión Técnico-Científica sobre los Componentes Ambientales del Proyecto Cerro de San Pedro de Minera San Xavier, San Luis Potosí, diciembre de 1998, pp. 16. Campbell, Monica (2004) "Mexican town curbs mine giant" The Christian Science Monitor. December 14, 2004 edition Cordero de Enciso, Alicia (1999). Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosí. Investigación y texto] -- México : INAH: JGH, 1999. -- 102 p. il. -- (Guía, México y su patrimonio; 2) Título de cubierta. Incluye bibliografía: p. 99 ISBN 970-18-1219-0. Cordero de Enciso, Alicia (1997) San Pedro Hill it
still worth a Potosi. México en el Tiempo # 19 july-august
1997. Mexico desconocido Online. http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/english/cultura_y_sociedad/ Camarena, Beatriz (2004). Community, Environmentalists Fight Canadian Mine Co. Cruz Martinez Angeles (2005) "El Senado aprobó un punto de acuerdo en el que exhorta a las dependencias a informar. Semarnat y Sedena deben explicar su participación con Minera San Xavier" La Jornada, Domingo 27 de febrero de 2005. Cruz Martínez, Angeles (2005a). "Dueños de Minera San Xavier planean retirar el proyecto, aseguran opositores" La Jornada, Viernes 13 de mayo del 2005. Cruz Martines, Angeles (2005b). "Minera San Xavier denuncia "por difamación" a tres opositores a su proyecto de explotación", La Jornada, 23 de Enero, 2005. Cruz Martínez, Angeles (2004). "Admite Sedena que autorizó uso de explosivos a minera: ejidatarios", La Jornada, 24 de diciembre. Cruz Martinez, Angeles (2004a) "Intelectuales y ONG exigen a Fox ordene a Minera San Xavier suspender actividades", La Jornada, 19 de diciembre de 2004. Cruz Martínez, Angeles (2004b). "Tribunal emite ejecutoria que ratifica la ilegalidad de contrato de arrendamiento" La Jornada, Sábado 4 de diciembre de 2004 Cruz Martinez, Angeles and Balboa Juan (2004)."Suspende Sedena permiso a Minera San Xavier para manejar explosivos" La Jornada, 26 de diciembre de 2004. Del Hoyo, Eugenio (1979). History of El Nuevo Reino de Leon (1577- 1723). Editorial Libros de Mexico, S.A., Mexico, D.F. Enciso, Angélica (2005). "Ecologistas acusan a Alberto Cárdenas de beneficiar al sector Empresarial" La Jornada, 6 de Mayo. Enciso, Angelica (2005a) "Legisladores y ONG de Canadá deciden investigar actos de Minera San Javier", La Jornada, 18 de abril del 2005. Enciso, Angélica L. (2005b). "Niegan amparo a Minera San Xavier" La Jornada, 3 de Febrero, 2005. Enciso, Angelica (2005c). "Insiste Semarnat en defender a Minera San Xavier", La Jornada, 20 de Enero del 2005. Enciso, Angélica, (2005d). Dueños de la Casa Guadalupe denuncian a Minera San Xavier por daño y despojo", La Jornada, 19 de Enero del 2005. Enciso, Angélica (2005e). "Presenta el INAH demanda penal contra la Minera San Xavier", La Jornada, 18 de Enero del 2005. Europa Press (2004) "Tribunal mexicano paraliza
el proyecto minero en San Luis de Potosí La empresa responde
que ya tenía todos los permisos y que el Tribunal carece
de conocimientos medioambientales" 2 Noviembre 2004 Governor's office (2003). "Governor Davis signs Legislation to stop proponed Gold Mine near "Trail of Dreams" Sacred Site," 7 de abril del 2003, en http://resources.ca.gov/davis_agency_news.html, 30 de noviembre del 2003. Hernández López, Julio (2005). "Astillero", La Jornada, lunes 9 de mayo del 2005. Instituto Nacional de Ecología (1999), autorización DOO DGOEIA 001130. La Jornada San Luis (2002). "La Minera San Xavier adquirió de manera irregular derechos de agua", 22 de junio del 2002. La Jornada San Luis (1999). "Minera San Xavier podría afectar el patrimonio de SLP" 20 de Febrero. Kairos (2004). Delegation to Mexico looks at poverty, murder, Canadian mining practices and other free-trade by-products MEDIA ADVISORY KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. La Jornada San Luis and Triunfo Elizalde (2005). "Minera San Xavier destruye un inmueble histórico del siglo XVIII", La Jornada, Domingo 16 de enero del 2005. Logsdon, Mark J. et. al. (2003) El uso del cianuro en la extracción de oro, traducido de la publicación en inglés titulada The Management of Cyanide in Gold Extraction, de Mark J. Logsdon, MScKaren Hagelstein, PhD, Cihterry I. Mudder, PhD, publicado el miércoles 3 de diciembre del 2003, en: http://www.ilustrados.com/publicaciones/EpZpVpEpkkjxcfwDzo.php16 de nov, 2004 López Miramontes, Álvaro y Cristina Urrutia (1980) Las minas de Nueva España in 1774, Mexico, INAH, 1980. Martínez Ramos, Mario (2004), Carta a Quien
Corresponda, San Luis Potosí S.L.P, México, Setiembre
23 del 2004, en http://www.esquelonline.com/~noalamina/Sanluispotosi.htm,
5 de noviembre. Mining Watch Canada (2002). Mines Alerte. Newsletter,
number 8, Winter/Spring 2002. Montemayor, Carlos (2004)" Minera San Xavier despojó de tierras a habitantes de Cerro de San Pedro", La Jornada, 20 de octubre del 2004. III Parte. Montemayor, Carlos (2004). "Amenaza ambiental con Minera San Xavier", La jornada, Lunes 18 de octubre del 2004. Montenegro, Raul A. (2004). Estudio sobre el Impacto Ambiental y Sanitario de las minas de oro. El caso Cordón Esquel, en http://www.funam.org.ar/introduoro.htm, 4 de noviembre del 2004. Muñoz, Alma E. (2005). "Destruye el TLCAN a las familias: grupos religiosos" La Jornada, 19 de marzo del 2005. OTC Bulletin Board (2003). "Metallica Resources Announces Authorization to Proceed With Church Stabilization at the Cerro San Pedro Project, Mexico". October 23. Periódico Oficial del estado de San Luis Potosí (1993). "Plan de Ordenación de San Luis Potosí y de su zona conurbada", publicado 24 de septiembre de 1993. Ramírez Cuevas, Jesús (2004)." De cómo el Presidente mide con dos varas Fox promueve el desacato" La Jornada, 29 de Agosto del 2004. Román, José Antonio (2004). "Piden a Canadá obligar a Minera San Xavier a respetar ley mexicana" , La Jornada, 28 de diciembre del 2004. Ronco, Jorge (2002) Fundamentos de la Campaña Esquel, Eco sitio 2002-2004, en http://www.eco-sitio.com.ar/fundamentos_de_la_campana2.htm, 15 de nov del 2004. Sánchez-Mejorada, Rodrigo (2000). "Mining law in Mexico", Mineral Resources Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 1 (2000), 129-139. State Environmental Resource Center, (2004) Banning Cyanide Use in Mining, en http://www.serconline.org/mining/talking.html, 21 de Julio del 2004. Villalba Bustamante, Margarita (2000). State and business initiative in the formation of the valenciana and real de catorce mining communities (mexico), 1760-1790. Colegio de San Luis. ----------------------- Jose Gpe. Vargas-Hernandez - Avenida Tecnologico
No. 100 Cd. Guzman, Jalisco, 49000, Mexico Phone: 52 341 41 33116;
Fax: 52 341 41 32304
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