Chile's constituent assembly, charged with drafting the country's new constitution, on Saturday approved an early proposal that opens the door to nationalizing some of the world's largest copper and lithium mines.
Keskkonnakomisjoni ettepanek, mis kogunes nädalavahetusel esimest korda pärast selle kehtestamist ettepaneku sulgemise tähtajaks, sai 13 poolt-, kolm vastu- ja kolm erapooletut.
The proposal, which focuses on large-scale mining of copper, lithium and gold, has yet to be approved by two-thirds of the general assembly to become part of Chile's new charter, which will be put to a national referendum later this year.
Arvestades, et Tšiili riigil on juba põhilised kaevandamisõigused, kirjeldasid analüütikud seda sammu otsese rünnakuna erahuvide vastu ja andsid valitsusele aasta aega ettevõtte natsionaliseerimiseks.
The companies involved in metallic and non-metallic minerals and hydrocarbons may not be compensated for the loss of mining rights. The proposal says the auditor general would determine this based on the company's book value, with a maximum payment period of 30 years.
Samuti näeb tekst ette, et enne 1993. aastat alustatud tegevus ja projektid peavad keskkonnamõju hindamiseks esitama kolme aasta jooksul. Kontsessioonid välistatud piirkondades, näiteks liustike läheduses ja põlisrahvaste maadel, tühistatakse.
Keskkonnanõukogu - koos noorte aktivistidega - hääletas veebruari alguses ettepaneku esimese eelnõu üle, mis kutsus esile kohese vastureaktsiooni isegi Tšiili ametivõimude endi poolt.
Diego Hernandez, head of the National Mining Association, which represents companies in the industry, describes the idea as "barbaric" and "clearly wrong legally".
Kesk-kaevandusveteran ütles, et meede on suunatud ettevõtetele ja ressurssidele, millel on Tšiilile suur majanduslik ja õiguslik mõju.
"Given the globalization of the world, I would expect the affected companies to resort to treaties to defend their legitimate interests," Mr. Hernandez said.
Sergio Bitar, a socialist politician who was mining minister in 1973 under the deposed leftist government of Salvador Allende, called the initiative a "mad return to the past."
Tšiili võttis 1967. aastal vastu seaduse, mille kohaselt peavad ettevõtted kuuluma vähemalt 51 protsenti kodanikele. Neli aastat hiljem ostis riik ülejäänud 49 protsenti ja ettevõte natsionaliseeriti täielikult.
"I remember all the problems we had trying to sell copper outside of the commercial circle, and I remember when Congress voted not to pay the company any compensation for loss of assets and profits, and that's what I'm listening to right now," Bitar said in an interview with MercoPress.
"There is one thing that is dream, wishful thinking," the veteran politician said. "The other is reality, which shows how dependent Chile is on global powers (...). For example, China now buys a third of Chile's copper, so what is our strategy for nationalised mining companies? Reduced exports?" "He pointed out.
Kõrgemad autoritasud
Chile, the world's biggest copper producer and host to two of its biggest lithium miners, is in the process of amending its constitution to replace the market-centred one, which dates back to the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.
The country produced 5.6 million tons of copper in 2021, about 25 percent of the world's total, and has nearly 70 billion in potential mining projects this decade, most of which will never materialize if the country nationalizes its resources.
Politicians in the world's largest copper producer are also fine-tuning a new mining royalty bill that would raise tariffs on companies based on gross sales and profitability.
In its latest report, FTI said: "We estimate that if the new tax is approved, Chilean copper miners could see their tax rate rise to 80 per cent and profit margins fall by more than 50 per cent at current copper prices."
Analysts believe that while outright nationalisation, as proposed, is unlikely, the chances of a radical new royalty regime are far greater. It could "push the Chilean tax system into pseudo expropriation territory, especially as prices are likely to remain above 4 a pound, which is a 75 per cent tax rate."
Nad jõudsid järeldusele, et Tšiilist võib saada vase kaevandamise kõrgeima maksukoormusega riik, mis sunnib ettevõtteid{0}}üle vaatama oma praeguste ja tulevaste investeeringute elujõulisuse.
