The Stream, October 31: Giant Pascua-Lama Gold Mine Project Suspended

Mining
Barrick Gold Corp, the company behind the massive $US 8.5 billion Pascua-Lama gold mine project on the Argentina-Chile border, said it is suspending construction at the site, Reuters reported. The mine has faced stiff opposition and legal battles due to concerns about its effect on glaciers and water supplies.

In Indonesia, coal’s “last frontier” is being pursued by mining companies at the cost of communities and the environment, according to Indonesian and British activists, the Guardian reported. They argue that the mining will lead to more carbon emissions abroad, as well as water pollution in Indonesia.

Water Scarcity
As reservoir levels drop, residents of Tehran may face water rationing if they do not cut use by 20 percent, according to Iran’s energy minister, Bloomberg News reported. Iran is putting renewed focus on efforts to conserve its scarce water supplies.

Flooding
Some areas of Texas received as much as 38 centimeters (15 inches) of rain last night, causing flash flooding, Reuters reported. The rain was part of a large storm front that is moving across the United States and is expected to cause bad weather from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek