Pandora Papers: Piñera family offshore activities come to light
by Emmanuela Irihari4 October, 2021SHARE0
SANTIAGO – The recently-disclosed “Pandora Papers,” a leak of millions of documents related to offshore accounts connected to politicians, celebrities, and others, implicate Chile’s president. They indicate that he used a British Virgin Islands tax haven to hide the sale of Minera Dominga. The mine was sold to Carlos Délano for US$152 million.
Over the weekend, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revealed the biggest leak since the 2016 “Panama Papers.” Dubbed the “Pandora Papers,” the ICIJ’s latest batch of 11.9 million documents sheds light on the secret dealings of the rich and famous, including Chile’s President Sebastian Piñera.
The billionaire businessman is accused of selling an iron and copper mine, Minera Dominga, to childhood-friend Carlos Alberto Délano through a British Virgin Islands (BVI) entity. The Islands are often used as a tax haven for the wealthy. Two-thirds of the Pandora Papers are connected to BVI entities. It is not unusual for the wealthy to use tax havens for tax avoidance and tax evasion, but the investigation of some 600 journalists worldwide shows the vast scope of the secret economy behind the scenes.
Details from the leak indicate that two contracts were signed, the first in Chile for US$14 million dollars and the second in BVI for US$138 million dollars. The latter called for three installments, with the final installment conditioned on the mine not being environmentally protected.
One of the president’s financial managers has stated that Mr. Piñera was not in fact aware of the process of the sale nor has he been managing his companies for the last 12 years. In addition, Sunday night, Oct 3., the President’s office released a statement which affirmed that the Public Ministry and the Courts of Justice had already investigated the matter in 2017. “The Prosecutor’s Office recommended to terminate the case due to the lack of crime.”
Presidential candidate Sebastian Sichel has nevertheless come forward asking the president to explain his actions.
Emmanuela Irihari
Emmanuela is an International Relations and Modern Languages student from the Univeristy of East Anglia. Human Rights is of key interest to her as are culture, politics and sports.
Dominga Mining Project could spell disaster for vulnerable wildlife
by Olivia Wolford28 September, 2021SHARE0
COQUIMBO – After a history of rejection and controversy, the Dominga Mining Project was approved by the Environmental Commission of Coquimbo in August. The project’s close proximity to the ecologically diverse Humboldt Archipelago has raised concerns among scientists and environmentalists. Unique wildlife, including the Humboldt penguin, could face adverse effects from the development.
The Dominga Mining Project, developed by Chilean company Andes Iron, involves the creation of two open pit mines to source iron and copper in the town of La Higuera. Supporting infrastructure includes a desalination plant and a mega-port for large-scale exportation.
The environmental impacts of this development originally led the Environmental Commission of Coquimbo and the Committee of Ministers of the Environmental Assessment Service to reject the proposal in 2017. However, an appeal made this past May resulted in the reevaluation and subsequent approval made in August. Many environmental groups and politicians spoke out against the decision.
The decision comes amid two years of promising initiatives towards environmental protections in Chile. The slew of progressive candidates elected to the constitutional assembly also indicates that environmental action will have a central place in the new constitution.
In April 2020, the Chilean government released an updated national climate plan under the Paris Climate Agreement, committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. Though more ambitious than previous plans, the update was criticized for not addressing the highly industrialized, polluted areas of Chile known as sacrifice zones.
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Treasured biodiversity
The eight islands of the Humboldt Archipelago are home to more than 560 marine species, making it an area of global conservation interest. In 2018, international non-profit Mission Blue declared the area a Hope Spot, in acknowledgement of the area’s ecological importance and urgent need for protection.
This diversity is a result of the Humboldt Current, a flow of cold, nutrient-rich water from Antarctica. Within the current, species such as phytoplankton, krill, and anchovies can thrive as a consistent food supply for larger animals. Whales, sea otters, and Chile’s only resident colony of bottlenose dolphins are among the animals spotted here.
The archipelago is also notable for the Humboldt Penguin Reserve, three islands that contain 80 percent of the world’s Humboldt Penguin population. The penguins have drawn ecotourism to the area in recent years.
Wildlife under threat
Despite this natural biodiversity, wildlife is already facing adversity in the archipelago. Of the bird and mammal species, 50 percent are classified as vulnerable or endangered. A warming climate is heating up the Humboldt Current, depleting nutrients from the waters and impacting food supply.
Experts worry the Dominga Mining development could exacerbate these threats. Mining runoff pollution from other projects is already impacting the Humboldt Current ecosystem. Additionally, the planned development of a seaport would likely drive even more waste into the area from passing ships. This contamination can lead to the degradation of the habitats and breeding grounds for animals such as the Humboldt Penguin.
Noise pollution from shipping activity can also impact the movement of migratory species such as whales, which rely on echolocation to communicate and navigate. Noise and disruption from shipping traffic can also increase psychological stress in animals, leading to premature deaths.
Though the project has been regionally approved, Chile’s Supreme Court will need to weigh in with its approval before construction can begin. Five appeals regarding the project approval await decisions. Meanwhile, environmental organizations, such as Alianza Humboldt, will continue to speak out against the development.
Olivia Wolford
Olivia Wolford recently received a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Maryland. She is passionate about issues related to conservation and climate justice.
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Controversial Dominga mining project gets environmental license
Coquimbo Region’s environmental commission has approved the Dominga project. Previously, the same body had rejected the iron ore-copper project. The commission greenlighted the mine under certain conditions, which remain publicly unknown, however.
The environmental commission of Coquimbo Region has approved with 11:1 votes the Dominga iron ore-copper mining project. But the Supreme Court also needs to issue a ruling before construction can begin.
Having been rejected in 2017, owner Andes Iron filed a successful appeal with the Antofagasta environmental court. The environmental commission has approved the project under certain, still secret conditions.
Andes Iron is a joint stock company controlled by the Délano family. Dominga involves two open-pit mines planned to produce 12Mt/y of iron ore and 150,000t/y of copper in concentrates.
Three underground pipelines would connect the mine to a megaport, planned at La Higuera, near the ecologically unique Humboldt Archipelago.
The archipelago comprises eight islands and islets which are among the world’s top 14 biodiversity locations. The area is home to about 80% of the Humboldt penguin population, for which a reserve was created.
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