 Protesters, including the Mayor of Famatina, Ismael Bardogaray, the local Priest, and an estimated 50% of Famatina’s population of roughly 7000, expressed their concern regarding the depletion and pollution of their scarce water resources and massive environmental destruction, common outcomes of open-pit gold mines which use the gold cyanidation process.Protesters were not interested in negotiating royalties.“The people of Famatina do not see mining as a development option for our region”, stated Bardogaray.