Human Chain in Fuerteventura against prospecting for rare minerals

Fuerteventura witnessed a demonstration yesterday (Sunday) as locals formed a human chain to protest against rare earth prospecting. Dozens of people gathered at Ajuy Beach in the municipality of Pájara to voice their opposition.

The Satocan group has applied for three permits to explore mineral deposits across three municipalities on the island. So far, only one of these permits has been subjected to public scrutiny.

Two biodiversity and heritage conservation associations have submitted objections to the proposed project in Puerto del Rosario, arguing that it only serves private interests and offers "no benefits to the local population."

On one front, the heritage association El Efequén, dedicated to safeguarding the historical, ethnographic, cultural, and natural heritage of the Archipelago, denounces the project as "senseless." Also, the Association for the Conservation of Canarian Biodiversity has raised objections, warning that the extraction area intersects with nesting sites and migratory routes of threatened bird species on the island.

The objective of the exploratory activities, as stated by Satocan and as outlined in the project published in the Official Boletin of the Canary Islands (BOC), is to discover mineral deposits deemed "essential" for manufacturing electronic devices, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and green technologies.

It's worth noting that the Fuerteventura Cabildo and the six local councils of the island have recently voiced their opposition to prospecting for rare earths within their territory. They argue that such activities rank among the most polluting on the planet and pose serious risks to the environment and human health.