The main topics of the last debate of the year focus on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) for the mining exploitation by the company PSJ Cobre Mendoza and the Malargüe Western Mining District (DMO), the creation of the Environmental Compensation Fund, and the regulation of the Mining Royalties Regime. According to parliamentary sources confirmed to the Argentine News Agency, the Mendoza Union, a space that brings together Peronists, radicals, and independents, 'is in favor of the four projects', however, the president of the block, Germán Vicchi, will not be in the chamber due to a personal commitment he had already scheduled. On the other hand, Cambia Mendoza began the debate with 19 votes from all its members, to which the complete PRO block integrated by legislators Valentín González, Gabriel Padrines, and Martín Rostand adheres. Meanwhile, the Peronist block is 'divided' between the Kirchnerist faction and the representatives of regional mayors in the upper house: Alejandra Barro (Celso Jaque - Malargüe), Mercedes Derrache (Carlos Ciurca – former vice-governor), Mauricio Sat and Pedro Serra (Emir Félix – San Rafael) and Adriana Cano (Florencia Destefanis – Santa Rosa), who will vote in favor of the four projects. PSJ Cobre Mendoza is dedicated to the 'prospecting, exploration, and development of copper mining' in the province, and according to the firm itself, 'complies with current legislation' and follows 'responsible mining standards' at the national and international level with respect to sustainability. 'We work under the concept of transparency as a fundamental pillar of our project and we believe in mining as an essential factor for the comprehensive development of the region and for the benefit of all the actors involved,' they state from the company. It is important to highlight that this project belongs to Zonda Metals GmBH (Switzerland) and Alberdi Energy (Argentina). The DMO of Malargüe is an area in Mendoza, identified by its 'high geological and mining potential', that covers more than half of the surface of said department and has numerous mining projects with potential, focusing on the prospecting and exploration of various minerals, such as iron, lead, zinc, gold, platinum, and copper. The existence of the EIA is a key document in environmental management because it summarizes the Environmental Impact Assessment of any project that directly modifies areas of an ecosystem and proposes measures to mitigate possible problems in a mandatory way, especially in infrastructure or mining initiatives, with the objective of ensuring their sustainability and regulatory compliance. Today, the Mendoza Senate will decide whether the four mining projects sent by the Government of Alfredo Cornejo will have final sanction.
