IMWA Proceedings 1999 | © International Mine Water Association 2012 | www.IMWA.info MINE, WATER & ENVIRONMENT. 1999 IMWA Congress. Sevilla, Spain ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL OF MINING ACTIVITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF CATAMARCA. ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Hector 0. Nieva, Dante R. Vilte, Augusto C. Acuna, Gustavo A. Baez Secretarfa de Estado del Ambiente Republica 838 4700 Capital. Catamarca. Argentina Phone:+ 54 3833 437585. Fax:+ 54 3833 437584 e-mail:
[email protected] INTRODUCTION GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION 2 Section 41 of the Constitution of the Argentine Repu The Province of Catamarca (1 01,660 km ) is located in blic states: "All citizens have the right to a safe and balanced the Northwest of Argentina. The Capital City, San Fernando del environment ... Environmental damage shall primarily involve Valle de Catamarca, is 520 m above sea level and 1,145 km the obligation to restore as established by law''. National Law from Buenos Aires. Its large area together with its geographic No. 24196 of Mining Development for the Argentine Republic characteristics (70% mountain) allow this province to have a encouraged large mining investments in our country, and Arti wide range of microclimates and landscapes. According to the cle 7 thereof states "In order to avoid and remedy any altera 1991 national census, it had 300,636 inhabitants. tions caused by mining activities to the environment, compa We can divide the province in: east, central and west nies shall provide a special allowance for such purpose". Sec regions. The latter (where major mining projects are located) inclu tion 1 of National Law No. 24585 of Environmental Protection des the departments of Tinogasta, Antofagasta de Ia Sierra, Belen, for Mining Activities, states: "Environment protection and pre Santa Marfa, Poman and Andalgala, with climates ranging from arid servation of natural and cultural resources which may be to desert and cold and a low bio-diversity environmental system.