In the heart of Chile’s pristine Palena Province, the Corcovado National Park stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to conservation. Yet, this beacon of biodiversity is currently facing a significant challenge that could redefine its future. The controversy brewing at the edges of this untouched wilderness centers on the proposed expansion of a mining operation, a move that pits the timeless values of environmental preservation against the ever-pressing demand for mineral resources.
Patagonia Land Conservation takes you deeper into this unfolding narrative, shedding light on the complexities that surround the Corcovado National Park—a sanctuary not only for countless species but also for the human spirit seeking refuge in nature’s unspoiled majesty.
The Proposal: Expansion with Consequences
The heart of the matter lies in the intentions of a neighboring landowner, who seeks to extend their property from the current 4,800 hectares to approximately 6,700 hectares. This ambitious expansion is not merely a matter of land acquisition; it encroaches upon the territory of Corcovado National Park and impacts the interests of other private stakeholders in the region.
COMPAÑÍA MINERA EL REFUGIO CINCO SpA, under the legal representation of Luis José Santa María Valdés, has outlined a comprehensive plan. This plan encompasses the installation of both surface and subterranean mining operations, including exploration, extraction, and the processing of minerals. The envisioned development also includes the establishment of mineral yards, beneficiation plants, and waste disposal sites, among other infrastructural enhancements.
…”These are the owners of adjacent properties, corresponding to the former Lot 4 of the former Fundo Yelcho , who, through a series of judicial actions coordinated among family members and related companies, are trying to expand their property from the 4800 hectares indicated in their titles to about 6700 hectares. This includes territory from Corcovado National Park and other private stakeholders in the area,” indicated attorney René Fuchslocher, representative in court for Agrícola Patagonia Land Conservation Limited, one of those affected by the actions of these private individuals, who, along with their predecessors in ownership, have developed agricultural and tourism activities on their land, which was transferred to them by the State in 1968″…
Fuchslocher explained that the owners of the neighboring property of his client have presented a series of actions before the Courts of Chaitén, allowing them to validate the illegitimate expansion of their estates. This included the filing of mining extraction requests, which followed their process and have been authorized.
These mining extraction requests were not informed to his client, which prevented them from exercising any opposition action against the granting of permits for these third parties to work on their property, where agriculture and livestock have been developed for years; and where they also maintain a camping site, tourist cabins, and a hotel that constitutes a relevant tourist landmark in the area.
…”According to the documentation presented by this company, it is intended in the sector ‘the installation of extraction systems, exploration and open-pit or underground exploitation works, and mineral crushing, the installation of yards and mineral deposit, beneficiation plants, tailings or deposit ponds, the occupation of the land with overburden, rubble and sterile material, the installation of communication systems, channels, pipelines, camps, accommodations, constructions, electric power posts, and other complementary works.’ This poses a threat not only to my client but to all Chileans and nature lovers in general, because it would affect Corcovado National Park directly and indirectly,” … specified Fuchslocher.
“In recent weeks, despite the legal validity of these people’s claims to expand their properties is something currently known by the courts in processes that are just starting, societies related to them and other relatives have started works with machinery that have forcefully entered my client’s property, with the aim of establishing paths and preliminary tasks before the start of mining extraction in the area, breaking their fences, destroying their meadows, and harassing their workers. These works could be stopped by a non-innovative order granted by the Court of Appeals of Puerto Montt, but they could be reactivated if the Courts accept new petitions presented before the Court of Chaitén, seeking the exercise of easements for the development of mining extraction in an area that for years has been one of conservation and nature,” explained the attorney.
Unfortunately, the inaction of the government authorities, and especially of the State Defense Council, which remains a spectator in the various legal actions that have been presented in recent years, has allowed the company’s claims to advance over my clients’ property, but, above all, towards the territory of Corcovado National Park. Therefore, it is urgent that the State takes an active role, and defends the natural heritage of all Chileans, thus avoiding a major natural catastrophe in this area of conservation and nature that brings pride and prestige to our Los Lagos Region and our country,” emphasized attorney René Fuchslocher.
Patagonia Land Conservation’s Stance
As advocates for the protection of Patagonia’s landscapes, Patagonia Land Conservation views the proposed mining expansion with grave concern. The encroachment on Corcovado National Park represents a critical juncture for conservation efforts in the region. It calls into question the balance between development and the preservation of natural spaces that are irreplaceable and invaluable to Chileans and the world alike.
In the face of this challenge, we urge stakeholders, policymakers, and the global community to consider the long-term implications of such developments. The story of Corcovado National Park is not just a local issue; it is a narrative that resonates with the ongoing global conversation about conservation, sustainability, and the legacy we leave for future generations.
