SANTIAGO – (Reuters) – A Chilean indigenous group will likely ask the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision on Barrick Gold Corp’s Pascua-Lama gold mine, because the ruling does not go far enough to protect the environment, a lawyer representing the group told Reuters on Thursday.
The appeal will probably also seek a re-evaluation of the suspended $8.5 billion project and ask that Barrick present a new environmental impact assessment study, a potentially lengthy and costly process, the lawyer, Lorenzo Soto, added.
The Copiapo Court of Appeals on Monday ordered a freeze on construction of the project, which straddles the Chile-Argentine border high in the Andes, until the company builds infrastructure to prevent water pollution.
“It’s very likely we appeal the decision,” Soto said. “What we’re interested in is that the project be re-evaluated. What is optimal, in our opinion, is for the project to present a new environmental impact assessment.”
Soto said the decision on whether to appeal would be made on Friday. The Diaguita indigenous group has until Monday to file with the court, he added.