Guest Blog in Response to “Mining could be key to many youths’ future” [Nogales International 10/30/2012]

Dear Editor,

After a long and thoughtful process, I feel compelled to share my own insights and opinions regarding the current mining proposals, threatening to forever alter the character and environments of our one-of-a-kind Sky Islands.

I have heard the pro-mine arguments ad-nauseum in person, in print, and in social media. Within this small-thinking circle I have narrowed the pro-mine arguments down to one basic element. Namely, that it will somehow create new jobs and thus boost the local economy. Allow me to poke a few holes in this flimsy premise.

First, let us consider that these are foreign corporations trying to come in, take our resources, scar the land, and leave – all for the benefit of mainly foreign investors. To the flag-wavers reading this, there is nothing American about these would-be sham ventures. Quite simply they will rape our native soil for the benefit of outsiders. So, from the money-making, top-end of things, forget about benefiting from this.

Second, consider that the relative handful of well-paying local jobs that might be generated by these mines would likely be mostly filled by imported labor. The carrot-at- the-end-of-the-stick theme of job creation is truly a monumental myth perpetuated by the very top-end folks who donʼt live here and who give two hoots about our land or livelihoods. Nor would the life of the mines be particularly long, resulting at best in short-term employment.

Far from creating jobs, history – repeated history – has aptly demonstrated the folly in placing our collective trust in the hands of mining executives with no greater motive than to line their pockets with even more money. Avarice that breeds destruction of the land is surely the worst kind of all.

At a recent public meeting in Patagonia I asked what I thought was a reasonable question to the local U.S. Forest Service Supervisor. I wanted to hear about an example – just one – of a reclaimed and rehabilitated open pit mine in the entire Southwest. The silence that ensued in the wake of my question was, needless to say, telling. So too were the applause that confirmed the well-warranted suspicion that other locals hold in regards to these shady mine dealings.

What then would the mines do for us? They would forever create permanent scars upon an otherwise beautiful landscape. They would diminish the biodiversity of the region tremendously by lowering air quality, depleting already scarce water resources, adding a constant clamor of unnatural noises, and by polluting the remaining scarce groundwater via toxic mine runoff. Donʼt believe me? Just look at the hard facts concerning open pit mines in the Southwest. Look at the boom and bust of Bisbee and at the incredible scars left there as well as in Clifton and Morenci. These holes and this environmental degradation would be here to stay.Consider, on the other hand, the idea of continuing to promote eco-tourism in our unique area. We are already a well-known and lucrative (for local businesses!) destination for birdwatchers and in general for Nature enthusiasts and outdoors people from all walks of life. These tourists, whether theyʼre from Phoenix or from far-flung regions come here for the beauty and biodiversity of our Sky Islands region. The money that they spend goes directly to local businesses such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, local Nature guides, restaurants , car-rental companies, and grocery stores to name a few. Held against the hollow promise of a few measly mine jobs, the benefits of NOT having the mine are staggering indeed.

The Sky Islands of Arizona are truly a biological wonder and world treasure. Here we have the most mammal and reptile species in North America, the most bee species in the world, over 4000 species of plants, 18 species of hummingbirds on record, and a plethora of “Mexican Specialty” species such as Jaguars – 3rd largest cat species in the world, Ocelots, Elegant Trogons, Brown Vine Snakes, Coatis, Javelina that occur nowhere else north of Mexico.

You get the idea: we are truly a unique eco-tourism destination that easily rivals and betters the likes of Yellowstone, the Everglades, the Redwoods. Just go and ask the people living in those areas exactly what makes their local economies tick (hmmm, could it be the natural environments??) and whether they would like a mines in their backyards to stimulate it.

Vincent Pinto
Ravens-Way Wild Journeys Nature School
Patagonia, Arizona