1 Ethnic conflict and natural resources Natividad Gutiérrez Chong UNAM., MSc., PhD London Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
2 Mexico is one of the best places in the world for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources (Empresa minera CAMSIM) 70% is able to be exploited in world-class deposits of precious metals, through the method of open-pit mining. (http://www.sra.gob.mx/sraweb/noticias/noticias-2011/mayo-2011/8133/, La Jornada 10 de diciembre de 2011) 60% of mining production in Mexico is national, 40% is foreign, mainly Canadian.
3 Indigenous peoples 400 different ethnic groups. 50 million people. From very small groups, to macro-ethnies or nations of some millions, such as the Aymaras, Quechuas, Mayas and Nahuas. In Guatemala and Bolivia are the mayority of the population and account more than half in Peru and Ecuador. In México, they represent 10% of the population.
4 What all indigenous peoples share in common Structural poverty. Social exclusion Lack of cultural prestige and numberless restrictions that impede them to participating at regional and national levels Lack of opportunities for their welfare and development
5 Capitalism and ethnic peoples Development as condition for the modernization of the nation-state has been uneven, given that indigenous peoples have not benefited from the welfare state, they are marginal people, although their lands and natural resources have a great economical value.
6 Ethno political activism and defense of natural resources Recent history: 10 years Indigenous organizations have denounced that, development, linked to economical programs of national governments, have generated different types of violence and massive violations of human rights.
7 Ethnic conflicts and natural resources 81 conflicts in the whole of the American Continent 14 in Mexico These conflicts are related to the exploitation of natural resources, extraction of renewable and non-renewable resources and environmental damage (http://www.orgindal.orghttp://www.orgindal.org Sistema de Consulta de las organizaciones indígenas y conflictos étnicos en las Américas SICETNO banco de datos). 166 indigenous organizations and NGO´s have denounced consistently damages and threats before the national and international communities, caused by the effects of development to which they do not participate, it is a development that has impoverished them but has benefited others.
8 Three recurrent axes explaining ethnic conflictivity 1. Threatening to environment (global warming) and its negative consequences to the way of life and habitat. 2. Indigenous peoples seeking constitutional recognition 3. Highest social and environmental impact as the result of megaprojects (http://www.orgindal.orghttp://www.orgindal.org Sistema de Consulta de las organizaciones indígenas y conflictos étnicos en las Américas SICETNO banco de datos).
9 Ethnic activism Extensive continental rejection to megaprojects linked to transnational capital Economical activities are far from satisfying indigenous needs and interests. It is also perceived as an intromission to the state national sovereignty. Rejection to urbanization and development that excludes them, or only favors the development of other peoples. Projects of development are implemented without existing a previous consultation. Often indigenous peoples do not have enough information about the reasons accounting for the privatization of their land and other resources.
10 Indigenous peoples and their responsibility towards development 29% of indigenous peoples inhabit rural areas. Great responsibility for the preservation of natural resources and environment. Sustainable development of natural resources, adequate training, philosophy of “buen vivir” –better living- Pachamamanismo, development without causing damage to all living beings, without violence and threat. Proposals for the conservation and management of natural resources according to their historical experience and wisdom: Inventory of flora and fauna, ecological reservoirs, internal rules of procedure, recycling and adequate disposal of toxic materials. Organizations to defend themselves against illegal logging, narco corridors, and mining exploitations, such as the policías comunitarias from Puebla and Guerrero. Right to autonomy and free-determination, models of governance
11 Natural resources in indigenous lands and territories Hydrocarbons Water resources Power Minerals Forests Archaeological areas Ecological tourism Tourist coasts
12 Ethnic conflict in the Americas Indigenous activism generating public visibility against damage and threats Right for consultation Inclusion in the agenda for development. Convenio 169 sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales (Artículos 7, 13, 15, 17).
13 Consultation as a mean to counteract indigenous impoverishment 1991, hace 21 años, entró en vigencia el Convenio 169 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo, sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales, derecho de los pueblos a ser consultados en todos los asuntos que puedan afectar sus vidas, sus derechos. Idealmente las instituciones involucradas recaban su opinión y se negocian acuerdos, a partir de un dialogo de buena fe, utilizando mecanismos culturales apropiados e información completa y fidedigna. Septiembre de 2007, la Asamblea General de la Organización de Naciones Unidas, aprobó la Declaración Universal de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y el artículo 19 señala la obligación de los estados para celebrar consultas y aplicar medidas legislativas con respecto al desarrollo, la explotación de recursos naturales, hídricos y de otro tipo. Estas recomendaciones tienen disposiciones vinculantes que obligan a los estados a cumplirlas, hasta ahora, hay incumplimiento en muchos estados del continente. En México, después de 21 años, se ha formulado un proyecto de decreto que expide la ley general de Consulta a Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas, se eleva la consulta a categoría de ley, a fin de que se convierta en una coordinación efectiva entre desarrollo, políticas e intereses indígenas (mayo de 2011) Informe final de la Consulta sobre el Anteproyecto de Ley General de Consulta a Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas http://www.cdi.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=85&Itemid= 200019
14 Characteristics of ethnic conflictivity a) low tendency to rebel against the state b) low use of violence by indigenous peoples in conflict c) very high use of violence and threat against indigenous peoples by national and transnational actors d) very high exclusion and discrimination Source: “Conflictos étnicos y etno nacionalismos: modelos de análisis para el continente americano” Etnicidad y conflicto en las Amèricas. Territorios y reconocimiento constitucional Volumen I, Natividad Gutiérrez Chong (in press)
15 Recent ethnic conflicts
16 Indigenous lands and capitalism en promedio 60 por ciento del ejido nacional se encuentra rentado, en estados como Tamaulipas, Sonora y Baja California, el porcentaje de tierras en renta varía entre el 70 y 90%. Empresas mineras extranjeras se han estado beneficiando de la renta de tierras en el país. En Zacatecas, las comunidades de El Vergel, Las Mesas, Cedros y El Refugio pertenecientes al municipio de Mazapil, rentaron 5 mil 400 hectáreas a la firma canadiense Gold Corp, empresa que opera una mina de oro a cielo abierto, considerada, la más grande de extracción de oro y plata en su tipo en América Latina (La Jornada, 12 de marzo de 2012). En el año 2011, el 35 por ciento de la superficie estatal de Zacatecas esta concesionada a mineras (Subdirección de Minas de la Secretaría de Economía, en http://ntrzacatecas.com/2011/12/28/otorga- sedezac-110-concesiones-mineras-en-zacatecas/. Consulta 23 de marzo de 2012)
17 Explotación minera en México, 2010 PaísEmpresasConcesiones Canadá187559 Estados Unidos3188 Australia428 Reino Unido38 India12 Japón11 Corea / Canadá11 Luxemburgo16 Perú17 Chile/ México14 231704 Fuente: Dirección General de Minas, Secretaría de Economía
18 Catálogo nacional de tierras e inversionistas, 2011 ModalidadNúcleos agrarios SuperficieInversionista s Proyectos Agropecuario2,0417,462,1591,1971,336 Turístico5623,572,23846149 Industrial3262,339,69794106 Minero3322,159,937179297 Desarrollo, servicios y equipamiento urbano 3702,285,18877241 Infraestructura3692,851,8781058 Ecológico100566,55183 Total 4,10021237,6481,611 2, 190
19 Agrarian areas turned into mining concessions 2011 - 332 concessions 2012 - 764 concessions Up to-date: 25.4 millones de hectáreas y concentra a 498 inversionistas nacionales y extranjeros (http://www.pa.gob.mx/paweb/sala_prensa/boletines/2012/2712.html)
20 Conflictos por recursos naturales
21 Mining and ethnic conflict 2010 Guerrero (Costa Chica y la Montaña) comunidades Malintepec, Zapotitlán Tablas, Tlacoapa, San Luis Acatlán. Nearly 200 mil ha have been given in concession to the following mining companies, without consulting indigenous peoples: Hochshild Minning, Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V (Chava Resources Ltd), Camsim Minas. S.A de C.V. These projects are affecting four rivers, Papagayo and Balsas. The organization Policia Comunitaria is opposing the projects.
22 Mining and ethnic conflict Oaxaca, 8% of the territory is under concession to 19 foreign mining companies, mainly Canadian: Fortuna Silver y su filial en México Cuzcatlán. Region of Ocotlán and Ejutla are found 4 mining projects, in San José del Progreso, la Coordinadora de Pueblos Unidos del Valle de Ocotlán (CPUVO), has a conflict with Canadian mining. Violence and leader assassination
23 Violence, mining and ethnic conflict Assassination of leaders Bernardo Vásquez y Bernardo Méndez, who have been opposing the Canadian-Mexican project Cuzcatlán. 21st March. Protest at the Canadian Embassy. Members of environmental organizations, human rights, and Coordinadora de los Pueblos Unidos del Valle de Ocotlán (CPUVO), were demanding to the Mexican government to withdraw concessions as these are open–pit mining, ie. Generates pollution and depletes water resources, and do not generate any economical benefit to indigenous peoples. (La Jornada, 22 de marzo de 2012)
24 Canadian Mining companies in Mexico Empresa/ concesión PaísLugar/o comunidades afectadas Proyecto Baja Mining CorpCanadáBaja California Sur. Santa Rosalía, municipio de Mulege. Proyecto Boleo Canadian Gold Hunter Corp CanadáVeracruz Actopan Caballo Blanco EscorpioCanadáSinaloa. Cosalá Lake Shore Gold (LSG). Anteriormente Timmins West Gold en México CanadáSan Luis Potosí, Chihuahua y Zacatecas Sitio Sagrado Natural y Cultural de Wirikuta Chihuahua ubicados en los municipios de Vanegas, Catorce, Charcas, Santo Domingo (SLP) y Mazapil (Zacatecas) Proyecto Universo Gold CorpCanadáZacatecas Mazapil-Villa de Cos Proyecto Camino Rojo
25 Canadian mining companies in Mexico MAG Silver CorpCanadáZacatecas Mazapil, Concepción del Oro y Vanegas Proyecto Nuevo Mundo Gold CorpCanadáZacatecas El Vergel, Las Mesas, Cedros y El Refugio pertenecientes al municipio de Mazapil Peñasquito Jorge Preisser Rivera Guerrero San Luis Acatlán Goliat (varias fracciones) y la Faraona Hochshild Minning Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V (Chava Resources Ltd) Reino Unido Canadá Guerrero Malintepec, Zapotitlán Tablas, Tlacoapa, San Luis Acatlán Corazón de Tinieblas Camsim Minas. S.A de C.V Guerrero Iliatenco y Malintepec Diana/Mina san Javier Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V (Chava Resources Ltd) CanadáOaxaca San Bartolo Soyaltepec, San Lorenzo Albarradas, Santo Domingo Tehuantepec (Varias fracciones) Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V (Chava Resources Ltd) CanadáPuebla Libres. Tehuacán, Tetela de Ocampo (Varias fracciones) Minera Zalamera S.A. de C.V (Chava Resources Ltd) CanadáChiapas San Juan Chamula, Villa de Corzo, Cintalapa (Varias fracciones) Blackfire ExplorationCanadáChiapas Chicomuselo (Varias fracciones) Hochshild Minning InglaterraChihuahua Moris
26 Challenges ahead … 1. Right of autonomy and free – determination 2. Political representativeness 3. Consultation 4. Transformation of the existing mono cultural nation - state