Protesters took to the streets of Sevilla on Saturday to demand a halt to mining projects they fear could threaten the Guadalquivir, Doñana and livelihoods dependent on the river.
The march travelled from the headquarters of the Andalucian regional presidency to the Setas de la Encarnacion, bringing together environmental campaigners, farmers, fishing organisations and local residents.
An alliance of 70 organisations and local authorities is calling for the suspension of permits granted to Minera Los Frailes at Aznalcollar and Cobre Las Cruces, whose operations cover Gerena, Guillena and Salteras.
Supporters include Greenpeace, Ecologistas en Accion, farming organisation COAG, consumer group FACUA Andalucia and the fishermen’s guilds of Sanlucar de Barrameda and Chipiona.
Eight local authorities along the river and its estuary have also backed the campaign.
Campaigners say the project to reopen the Aznalcollar mine includes a 30km pipeline that would discharge more than 85.5 billion litres of wastewater into the Guadalquivir estuary over 18 years, near Sevilla’s La Cartuja stadium.
They say a separate underground mining project at Cobre Las Cruces would discharge around 32 billion litres at La Algaba over 14 years.
The groups argue that the discharges could introduce toxic metals into an environment that supports fishing, farming and protected wildlife habitats.
Their concerns centre on the Bajo Guadalquivir Special Area of Conservation, part of Europe’s Natura 2000 network, and potential consequences for nearby Doñana.
Organisers also cite research by the universities of Sevilla, Cadiz and Granada which, they say, has identified an accumulation of metals in plants, shellfish and fish linked to previous discharges from Cobre Las Cruces.
They warn that further pollution could affect food safety and undermine traditional industries along the lower river and its mouth.
At the end of the march, organisers read a joint manifesto addressed to the Junta de Andalucia and the Guadalquivir river basin authority.
It called for a precautionary suspension of the projects’ discharge permissions and mining exploration, alongside a moratorium while the risks are assessed.
The alliance also wants an independent scientific commission to examine potential effects on the environment, public health and food safety.
Campaigners pledged to continue demonstrations and pursue legal challenges, including through European courts and institutions.
Sanlucar mayor Carmen Alvarez, who joined the protest, said protecting the river was essential for communities and industries along its banks.
‘We must be here to defend our river. A disaster has already happened, and I believe we must prevent another,’ she said.
Alvarez urged the authorities to respond to demands for stronger environmental safeguards, highlighting the importance of the Guadalquivir to local fishing and the protection of Doñana.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
