Mexico's Profepa shuts down two mining projects in Durango

The Federal Prosecutor for Environmental Protection (Profepa) temporarily closed two mining projects located in the ejido La Yerbabuena, Rodeo municipality, Durango, after inspections from 15 to 17 July uncovered illegal extraction of gold, silver and lead and a lack of required environmental permits. The agency found removal of vegetation and the construction of an unauthorized tailings dam, damaging a total of 3.51 hectares of forest – 1.31 ha at one site and about 2.2 ha at the other. Profepa ordered a full, temporary closure of both projects and seized the machinery and equipment on site while the administrative situation is resolved. The action occurs amid a federal review of the extractive sector, following earlier mine closures and the recovery of more than 1,100 mining concessions earlier this year.