Greenpeace denounces destruction of rock glaciers in Chile

Santiago, Nov 19 (IANS/EFE) Mining operations are destroying rock glaciers in Chile's central valley, already one of the world's most battered glacier areas, Greenpeace said in a statement Wednesday.

"We need a glaciers law to prevent a repetition of this sad record," the organisation's representative in Chile, Matias Asun said.

University of Chile glaciologist Francisco Ferrando, who led the survey expedition organised by Greenpeace, blamed the damage on the the activity at Codelco's Andina mine and Anglo-American's Los Bronces facility.

"Not only white glaciers are important," he said. "In this region there is an enormous presence of rock glaciers that make a significant contribution to water basins."

Greenpeace urged the Chilean government to enact legislation to protect rock glaciers.

--IANS/EFE

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