La Luz Silver Project facts for kids

The La Luz Silver Project is a plan for a new silver mine. It is located in the Real de Catorce Desert in San Luis de Potosi, Mexico. A Canadian company called First Majestic Silver wants to build this mine.

This mining project has faced strong disagreement from different groups. These groups include the Wixakari (also known as the Huichol tribe) and the Wirikuta Defense Front. They are working to protect the land.

The La Luz Silver Project

The La Luz Silver Project is a proposal to dig for silver in a desert area of Mexico. Mining involves digging deep into the Earth to find valuable metals like silver. This project is important because it is happening in a place that is very special to a group of indigenous people.

What is Mining?

Mining is the process of taking valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth. These materials can be metals like silver, gold, or copper. They can also be coal or diamonds. Miners use big machines to dig and process the rocks to get these materials.

Why is Wirikuta Important?

The area where the mine is planned, called Wirikuta, is a very sacred place for the Wixarika people. They have considered it holy for thousands of years. It is a place where they perform important ceremonies and connect with their traditions.

The Wixarika People and Their Land

The Wixarika people, also known as the Huichol, are an indigenous group from Mexico. Their culture and spiritual beliefs are deeply connected to the land, especially Wirikuta. They believe that this land is the birthplace of their gods and a source of life. Protecting Wirikuta is very important for their way of life and their future.

The Conflict Begins

In 2008, there was an agreement called Hauxa Manaka. It promised to protect Wirikuta. However, since 2009, at least 70 "mining concessions" have been given out in Wirikuta. A mining concession is like a special permission slip that allows a company to explore and mine in a certain area. These permissions were given to First Majestic Silver and other mining companies. This caused a big conflict because the Wixarika people felt their sacred land was not being protected.

Taking Action: The Injunction

In February 2012, the Wixarika people took legal action. They got an "injunction." An injunction is a special court order that temporarily stops something from happening. This injunction stopped the mining project. It will remain stopped until a court case decides if the mining permissions should be canceled.

Wirikuta Fest and False Claims

On May 26, 2012, a large event called Wirikuta Fest took place. About 60,000 people gathered to support the protection of Wirikuta. Before this festival, First Majestic Silver announced something important. They said they had given back some of their mining permissions to the government. They claimed this was to help protect Wirikuta. However, the Wixarika Regional Council later showed that this statement was not true. The company had not actually given back the important permissions.

What Happens Next?

The future of the La Luz Silver Project and Wirikuta depends on the ongoing court case. The Wixarika people continue to fight for the protection of their sacred land. Many people around the world are watching to see what will happen next in this important conflict.