Doctor Juan Almendares Bonilla has received much recognition throughout his career for his scientific accomplishments and social projects. He has been awarded the National Science Award, the Award for Medical Education in the Americas and the Paulino Valladares Award. He is the co-author of ecology books published by Pan-American Health Organization and he has been recognized as an International Conference Investigator.

It is worth noting that the flooding of mines during Hurricane Mitch stirred up heavy metals like mercury, lead and magnesium that will certainly be contaminating our water for centuries to come. I want to say that the mining industry is terrible for our country, especially when large-scale operations are permitted. It makes us vulnerable to serious environmental contamination with every phenomena or natural disaster. We desperately need more study in this area.

Revistazo: What different implications does open pit mining have, as compared to traditional underground mining? Is it more harmful?

Dr. Almendares: The problem is the leach pits, ponds where a cyanide wash is used to extract ore. The explosions are also a problem because they release not only minerals but heavy metals.

Revistazo: What effect does that have on people?

Dr. Almendares: The effect on humans is long-term and cumulative, and we are plagued by this in Honduras. The total effect of the mine is seen in the grave health problems that still have not been studied systematically. But I want to say that the Siria Valley has inspired me. These people are honorable; the environmental leaders have not been corrupted.

It surprised us how Entre Mares set up shop in San Ignacio and created one of the best newsletters in the country. They invested a lot in publicity. They led people to believe that the community was in favor of the mine.

One month after Hurricane Mitch, in November, the National Congress was changing the environmental and mining laws. Right there is where you can see the influence of multi-national companies to change the country's laws.

Revistazo: Like what companies?

Dr. Almendares: Well, I cannot say exactly because it is a legal problem, but there will come a time when this is all exposed publicly. In the first place, how would you explain that a country suffering a total destruction of its infrastructure and destruction of human life would dare to open a space for mining companies? Right now, a third of the national territory that could be used for agriculture is set aside for the mining industry.

Revistazo: DEFOMIN (the government body in charge of mining) representatives assure us that there has always been a problem with water in the Siria Valley area and that the mine does not contribute to the water shortage.

Dr. Almendares: That is totally false. I have the technical and scientific capacity to discuss this with DEFOMIN, and in fact I have. More than two years ago we made a presentation to the Ministry of Natural Resources in a meeting with the community. We asked these questions: Where does the mine get its water? What water is available to the community? The company needs large quantities of water to extract ore using the cyanide wash. This Valley, in addition to suffering a reduction in the availability of water, is suffering with serious problems. What they have done is build more wells and divide the people. Now the water tables are being destroyed by the miners. They take underground water, and with all the wells they have . . .

The Entre Mares project is designed for 10 years; and that design never took into account Hurricane Mitch. How is it possible that an environmental impact study was approved that did not take into account Hurrican Mitch? This was a profound failure on the part of the Ministry of Natural Resources in that time, as well as of the company. These companies should manage their projects more ethically. I know the rules in Canada and the United States for doing this, but here it is like a hidden science. It is kept completely separate from the community. They manipulate the community, they do not consult with the environmental groups in the community.

Revistazo: The law permits forced expropriation and it is said that some people were moved for this mine but that they were given some kind of diploma instead of property titles.

Dr. Almendares: People from the community in the Siria Valley were definitely moved to another location. And the new location is unhealthy, the water is not safe.

The most unbearable thing is the vast destruction of the forest the company caused before the mine was in operation. More than 7,000 trees were destroyed, and the company was given only a small fine in punishment. The truth is that this is an abusive company. If this was the United Status their project would have been cancelled immediately because they began operation before completing the environmental impact study.

Revistazo: We would like your opinion on two people related to this issue: President Maduro and Congressman Ramos Soto.

Dr. Almendares: It seems to me that there has been a profound failure in the policy of President Maduro in consideration of the environment. You cannot congratulate a company that has harmed the country, that has caused illness and a true ecological disaster. I am not in agreement with the President. Instead of congratulating them it would be better to demand compensation for the damages and throw them out of the country. If we have a transparent company, it should be transparent in its relations will all the institutions of the country.

Revistazo: They say the biggest benefit from these companies is the employment.

Dr. Almendares: It was announced that the company would be here a certain number of years and generate a certain number of jobs, but in reality the employment they offer is minimal. What has increased in the community is alcoholism and prostitution, but there has been no substantial contribution to the community. And after they leave us with this cyanide cemetery, what will be the compensation to Honduras? A handful of dollars. In the United States they would spend millions of dollars just on managment. We should have dignity. If there are laws and taxes in the United States, we should have them too. We are not third or fourth class citizens. We are human beings and we deserve respect.

Revistazo: The Cardinal has allied himself with this fight, but lately he has been silent on this issue.

Dr. Almendares: I have publicly congratulated the Cardinal and we were together on that march in El Pedernal. I felt happy that the Cardinal had joined with the community and walked with them. I had a very positive conversation with him. But with the same affection that I affirmed him then, I have missed his presence since then. Since the intervention of the march, he has been completely silent about the mining problem. It is important to listen to a spiritual counselor in Honduras who would tell the truth about what happens there in the community. The Cardinal's presence is needed in the Siria Valley.

I have been with the people through medical brigades and, truly, what is happening in the Siria Valley is terrible. It hurts the soul to see it and it makes you want to cry with anger at the government's indifference to the abuse, illness and destruction this mining company causes. We should lift our voices: The country is being destroyed. This company came here with propaganda saying that the cyanide would not hurt anyone's health. Even the doctors working in the Ministry of Health told me that the propaganda reached them.

We are willing to discuss this publicly with the company and the government to clarify all these things honestly and ethically.

Exclusive interview with www.revistazo.com