The fear that the history of contamination and health issues from mining would repeat itself, as it had in regions of Honduras, caused the nearby communities of Gramales and Aguas Calientes to join in protest. Also joining were residents of Ojo de Agua, El Ranchón, Nueva Concepción and Azacualpa. The people demonstrated their opposition to a notice that arrived indicating the beginning of precious metal extraction in one of the mountain ranges that are part of the mining company´s territory.

The mining company arrived to immediately begin operations, which fostered discontent among the residents because they fear the damages will be incalculable if the hills that surround their communities are allowed to be destroyed.

Filomena Guevara, president of the board of trustees for the community of Ojo de Agua said the opposition is of a general nature and they are prepared to do whatever is necessary to stop the mine installation.

¨The only things the government sends are these machines of environmental destruction and the contamination of the few water sources we have¨, declared the community representative.

Over 1,000 families reside in the six communities that oppose the mining operation. They feel that to permit this type of land use would deem it unsuitable for cultivation, since lands would be lost in the destruction of the hills.

The citizens have currently gained the support of representatives from Caritas de Honduras, Committee for the Defense of Flora and Fauna of the Gulf of Fonseca (Codeddagol) and other non-governmental organizations.

Francis Antonio Benítez, president of the civic group of El Triunfo, informed that the negativity is general and that all the inhabitants are against an open pit mining operation for the enormous damage it will cause to biodiversity.

Another problem is that if the company is allowed to be present here, dozens of families will have to be relocated; a situation they are not going to accept.

According to the declaration of Beníte, the authorities of the municipality El Triunfo are in favour of the company that intends to mine the gold deposits in the mountains of the communities.

¨The contamination (which will emerge in no time) will affect the production of watermelon, basic melon, shrimp, and grains. As a result, we will not supply local market and those affected will be multiplied¨, assured the interviewed person.

Those affected have informed they have initiated contact with the owners of companies located near the mining zone so they are united in the fight to stop the mining development, as it may affect their international operations.

Some organizations supporting the citizens have predicted that contamination could extend to the community of El Faro and, as a result, affect the Golf of Fonseca.

According to testimony, the company now only needs the approval of the authorities at the Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment (Serna).

The mine opponents assure that representatives of the mining company were present in various communities together with members of the National Police to gain signatures of those in agreement.

According to residents, the company has already drilled 20 wells in locations where

gold extraction is to take place.

¨We demand that the authorities stop this company, since these destructive activities will only bring us more poverty¨, said Modesto Ochoa, fisherman in the region.

The area they are considering demolishing is one thousand hectors. Jorge Varela, executive director of Codeffagolf, said the mine can not enter in this southern region because it lies as the centre of the communities. The mitigation measures, therefore, will not be effective because they are in the centre of communities.