Chile rejects iron mine to protect penguins

21 August 2017 - 18H01



SANTIAGO (AFP) -
Chile on Monday rejected plans for a $2.5 billion iron-mining project in order to protect thousands of endangered penguins.

Local firm Andes Iron wanted to extract millions of tons of the metal in the northern Coquimbo region and build a new port to ship it out.

A committee of ministers said the project did not offer sufficient environmental guarantees, echoing warnings by environmental groups.

"The compensation measures were insufficient and could not guarantee the protection of species of concern," such as the Humboldt penguin, said Environment Minister Marcelo Mena.

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http://www.france24.com/en/20170821-chile-rejects-iron-mine-protect-penguins